A team of scientists found clear evidence of feasting at the ancient Hilazon Tachtit Cave burial site near Karmiel, Israel. The Natufian community members gathered there for special rituals to commemorate the burial of the dead, with feasts being a central element.
The NSF has announced four new projects worth up to $8 million each to explore new internet architectures that can meet the challenges of the 21st century. The projects will focus on developing a more trustworthy and scalable network architecture.
A recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters found a link between the sun's ultraviolet radiation levels and a temporary shrinking of Earth's outer atmosphere. The research suggests that the sun's magnetic cycle may vary more than previously thought, leading to dramatic fluctuations in atmospheric density.
Scientists have observed a magnetic cycle in a distant star, HD49933, that is similar to the sun's solar cycle. The team used stellar seismology to detect acoustic fluctuations and found a signature of starspots, areas of intense magnetic activity on the surface.
The NSF has awarded $20 million to 17 institutions across the US to improve inter- and intra-campus cyber connectivity, with a focus on broadening participation in STEM research and education. The awards will support the development of high-speed networks, enhance collaboration among researchers, and foster economic development in states.
Researchers at Purdue University and the University of South Carolina have discovered a unique adhesive material in oysters that differs from other marine organisms. The cement, composed largely of chalky calcium carbonate, plays a crucial role in forming massive reef complexes.
Researchers use advanced technologies to map the origin of a massive underwater hydrocarbon plume in the Gulf of Mexico, confirming it came from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The plume is 22 miles long and 3,000 feet deep, and its composition suggests it has been persisting for longer than expected.
Researchers used RAD tagging to analyze the genetic structure of Wyeomyia smithii, a pitcher plant-dwelling mosquito. The study found that post-glacial populations originated from a southern Appalachian Mountain refugium and expanded sequentially into previously glaciated areas.
The NSF announces three new Expeditions in Computing awards, providing up to $10 million in funding over five years. These projects will focus on novel approaches to complex problems in computer science and engineering, including modeling social behavior and understanding climate change.
A magnitude-8.1 earthquake triggered two major quakes of magnitude 7.8 within two minutes, affecting Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga, with water levels reaching 49 feet above sea level
Researchers studied the predatory style of Andalgalornis, a mid-sized terror bird that used its uniquely rigid skull and hooked beak to jab like a boxer. The team's simulations showed that the bird's attack-and-retreat strategy was effective in taking down prey, with well-targeted jabs delivering high stress levels.
The Community Earth System Model (CESM) is a powerful new computer software that will be used in the next IPCC assessment to study climate change. With its advanced capabilities, scientists can shed light on critical mysteries of global warming, including ice sheet melting and regional climate patterns.
The discovery of primitive sponge-like creatures living in ocean reefs around 650 million years ago pushes back the clock on when animal life appeared on Earth. The fossils, found in South Australia, represent the earliest evidence of animal body forms in the current fossil record.
Researchers are tracking short- and long-term exposure to oil and dispersants in Gulf Coast salt marshes. The goal is to document changes in Spartina grasses, plant growth, and marsh animals and microbes.
Researchers credited with discovery, PSR J2007+2722, a neutron star rotating 41 times per second, has no orbiting companion and is likely recycled or young, sparking interest in basic physics of neutron stars. This is the first genuine astronomical discovery by a public volunteer distributed computing project.
A new analysis suggests that a prolonged phase of low activity in solar cycle 23 could be caused by changes in the sun's conveyor belt. The study's findings provide insight into factors controlling solar cycles and may lead to improved predictions.
Researchers found evidence for the oldest Earth mantle reservoir on Baffin Island, dating back to between 4.55 and 4.45 billion years ago. The discovery suggests an alternative to the traditional chondritic model of the Earth's composition.
A new study by Harvard University economist John Friedman found that students who progress from average to above-average scores on the Stanford Achievement Test in kindergarten can expect to make $1,000 more per year at age 27. Additionally, they are more likely to attend college and own a home by age 28.
Researchers find salps capture food particles as small as bacteria and phytoplankton, making them hardier and more plentiful than thought. This allows them to play a crucial role in carbon cycling by consuming the entire 'microbial loop' and sinking large amounts of carbon to the ocean bottom.
The 'life between the sheets' hypothesis proposes that structured compartments formed between layers of mica could have sheltered and evolved pre-life molecules. Mica's unique properties make it an ideal environment for life to emerge, with its ability to withstand wet/dry cycles and provide a stable surface for cells to develop.
A recent study led by Daniel Streicker analyzed hundreds of rabies viruses from 23 North American bat species, providing estimates of cross-species transmission (CST) frequency. CST occurs only once for every 72.8 transmissions within the same species, with factors like geographic range and genetics influencing its likelihood.
The newly discovered Pakasuchus kapilimai boasts mammal-like teeth and a land-based lifestyle, blurring the lines between crocodiles and mammals. This ancient find supports the idea that crocodiles were more diverse in the past, dominating ecological niches in the Southern Hemisphere.
Scientists are studying the effects of the Gulf oil spill on the Florida Everglades ecosystem, measuring hydrocarbon concentrations and food web structure at impacted sites. Research will help design future oil spill clean-up efforts and assess the impact on marine animal and plant distributions.
A team of scientists from 14 countries has successfully drilled through a mile and half of the Greenland ice sheet in search of climate change insights. The ice core samples may offer valuable information about how the world can change during periods of abrupt warming.
Scientists studying sea squirts have found a connection between the heart's second field and lower jaw muscles, suggesting an evolutionary link between these two structures. This discovery could provide clues about how complex hearts evolved in humans.
Researchers studying the Gulf oil spill's impact on coastal communities aim to understand how social context shapes individual responses to disaster. The study will investigate negative and positive emotions, as well as social and political trust, in individuals coping with the disaster.
Researchers found significant changes in oceanic circulation that followed glacial retreat, moderating climate change. The study provides insights into major climate swings and helps understand what drives glacial and interglacial cycles.
Researchers discovered an alternative form of evolution that helps Drosophila flies defend against nematode parasites. This finding has significant implications for developing treatments for serious human diseases like river blindness.
An international team of scientists studied two Sumatra earthquakes, finding differences in sediment composition between the rupture areas. This difference may have contributed to a larger tsunami in the 2004 event, highlighting the potential for high tsunami hazards in this region.
The NSF has awarded a rapid response grant to scientist David Valentine to understand how the use of dispersants impacts the degradation of oil in the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers will investigate the effects of surfactant compounds on the ability of microbes to naturally degrade hydrocarbon compounds found in crude oil.
The lake's surface waters have reached the warmest temperature on record, affecting fish productivity and ecosystem. Climate change models predict further warming, exacerbating the decline of fish stocks and impacting the region's food security.
Scientists found pathogens thrive in marine snow aggregates, which can skew water sampling procedures and predict disease transmission to humans. The study applies island biogeography theories to microscopic drifting aggregates.
Researchers recommend stabilizing carbon dioxide concentrations, fashioning warming-neutral pollution laws, and achieving immediate cooling through reductions in greenhouse gases. The proposed strategies aim to reduce the probability of reaching the temperature threshold to less than 10 percent before 2050.
Aphids have evolved two unique traits: producing essential carotenoids and breaking genetic barriers between kingdoms. They acquired carotenoid-producing genes from fungi through a rare gene transfer process.
A study published in Nature Geoscience found that soil microbes release decreasing amounts of climate-warming greenhouse gases as they overheat and grow more slowly
Underwater asphalt volcanoes, 10 miles off Santa Barbara coast, discovered by scientists funded by NSF, are 700 feet deep and 1 km apart. The structures were formed 30,000-40,000 years ago from petroleum flow, and were a prolific source of methane.
A team of archaeologists has uncovered new clues about a prehistoric society that formed the foundation of urban life in the Middle East prior to the invention of the wheel. The site, Tell Zeidan, reveals evidence of trade, copper metallurgy, and pottery production.
Scientists are conducting an expedition to study the rupture site of the 8.8-magnitude Chilean earthquake, mapping changes in the seafloor and searching for evidence of tsunami formation. The research will provide valuable insights into similar earthquake regions worldwide and inform tsunami warning systems.
Researchers discover that weak hydrogen bonds produce stronger materials when confined to specific spaces, leading to enhanced ductility and self-healing capabilities. This unique arrangement of atomic bonds enables silk to surpass steel in strength tests, with potential applications for future materials.
Researchers found that the East Siberian Arctic Shelf is releasing massive amounts of methane into the atmosphere, comparable to the entire world's oceans. This could trigger abrupt climate warming due to methane's potent greenhouse gas properties.
A study of over 226,000 trees reveals that species respond differently to environmental fluctuations, contrary to previous findings. This discovery sheds light on the coexistence of competing tree species and has implications for understanding invasive species invasions.
Researchers created a novel diamond nanowire device that can generate single photons, controlled at the atomic scale. The device leverages imperfections in the diamond crystal to act as a source of individual photons, with applications in advanced imaging and quantum communications.
A team funded by the National Science Foundation is returning to Haiti to investigate the cause of a January magnitude 7 earthquake. The geologists will collect crucial data to assess whether the quake could trigger another major event, and provide important insights into the cause of the disaster.
Researchers at Cornell University developed a method to control crystal growth, enabling the creation of smooth crystalline films. These films are crucial for producing defect-free semiconductors, a key component in modern computers and cell phones.
Researchers have discovered the deepest undersea erupting volcano, West Mata Volcano, located nearly 4,000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. The eruption has produced unique boninite lavas and acidic water conditions, providing a rare opportunity to study magma formation and oceanic cycles.
The AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards recognize innovative storytelling on scientific topics. The 2009 winners include 'Diamond Factory,' a TV feature on lab-grown diamonds, and 'A Very Lucky Wind,' a radio story exploring randomness and probability.
Researchers apply aerospace principles to create a durable and efficient wave-energy system that can be placed anywhere in the ocean. The system effectively cancels incoming waves, capturing their energy while flattening them out.
Recent decades saw a significant increase in bristlecone pine growth, with wider rings than at any time in the last 3,700 years. The research suggests that warmer temperatures play a key role in this surge in growth, particularly for trees near treeline.
Researchers analyzed data from 43 estimates of family wealth inheritance to find that technologies producing a society's livelihood are key factors in financial inequality. In contrast, hunter-gatherer societies exhibit lower levels of economic inequality due to the transferability of wits and social connections.
A team of Harvard chemists has developed a new microscopic technique that allows researchers to identify previously unseen molecules in living organisms. The room-temperature technique uses stimulated emission to generate images of non-fluorescent molecules, offering broad applications in biomedical imaging and research.