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Rare cosmic rays are from far away

Scientists confirm 1966 prediction that most energetic particles in the universe rarely reach Earth at full strength due to cosmic microwave background radiation. The GZK cutoff is a suppression of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays, suggesting they come from galaxies beyond 150 million light years away.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 20, 2008

UBC astronomer produces first detailed map of dark matter in a supercluster

For the first time, astronomers have directly visualized the distribution of dark matter in a supercluster, allowing for the detection of irregular clumps and detailed shapes. This breakthrough study, led by UBC researcher Catherine Heymans, uses NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to map the Abell 901/902 supercluster.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJan 10, 2008

Supercomputer could throw light on 'mysterious' dark energy

Researchers used supercomputing power to simulate the early Universe and identify potential methods for measuring dark energy. The study's findings will help design a proposed satellite mission called SPACE, which aims to unveil the nature of dark energy and its role in the Universe's accelerating expansion.

SourceDurham University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJan 10, 2008

Mysterious energy burst stuns astronomers

Astronomers have detected a huge burst of radio energy from the distant universe, suggesting a new area of study in astrophysics. The burst was so bright that it saturated equipment and could be equivalent to a large power station running for two billion years.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalScience·DateSep 28, 2007

The dating game

The discovery of geologic time revolutionized our understanding of the world, allowing scientists to date rocks and calculate the age of the Earth. This breakthrough, achieved by Arthur Holmes in the early 20th century, had a profound impact on fields like plate tectonics and evolution.

Chandra catches 'piranha' black holes

A new study using Chandra finds that younger, more distant galaxy clusters contain far more actively growing supermassive black holes than older, nearby ones. This rapid growth allows these black holes to thrive and influence their host galaxies.

SourceChandra X-ray Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 24, 2007

The gobbling dwarf that exploded

Researchers discovered clear changes in interstellar material absorption, indicating the existence of gaseous shells around a white dwarf. The system was likely composed of a white dwarf feeding on its red giant companion, leading to the supernova explosion. This finding strongly supports the Type Ia supernova scenario.

SourceESO·JournalScience·DateJul 13, 2007

McDonald and SNO team win Benjamin Franklin Medal

Art McDonald and his SNO team have won the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics for their discovery that neutrinos change flavour and have mass, modifying the Standard Model of particle physics. The award recognizes their outstanding scientific achievement in understanding the nature of matter and the universe.

Very high frequency radiation makes dark matter visible

Scientists at Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics have discovered a way to make a picture of everything that gravitates in the Universe using radio telescopes. By analyzing radio waves emitted from the early Universe, they can create high-resolution images of cosmic mass distribution, surpassing current galaxy distortions.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateDec 14, 2006

Big Bang theory saved

Astrophysicists have resolved a long-standing issue with the Big Bang theory by studying gas movements in stars. Computer models revealed that low mass stars destroy helium 3 before it can be released into space, resolving the discrepancy.

SourceMonash University·JournalScience·DateOct 26, 2006

Cell's fight against cancer revealed

A University of Southern California-led research group used X-ray crystallography to study the struggle between LTag, a cancer-causing protein, and p53, a key tumor suppressor. The study found that LTag inhibits p53's role by tying up six molecules, but p53 fights back by preventing virus replication.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalGenes & Development·DateAug 31, 2006

Astronomers crunch numbers, universe gets bigger

Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a new method for calculating intergalactic distances, which implies that the Hubble constant may be significantly off the mark. The Triangulum Galaxy is estimated to be 15% farther away from our galaxy than previously measured, potentially making the universe 15% bigger and older.