Electrons have a hidden feature — spin — that could revolutionize technology. Magnets can control it, but researchers are now exploring chiral molecules as an alternative. These uniquely shaped molecules might help direct electron spin just as well, opening new possibilities for future electronics. Electrons are well known for their negative charge, which plays a […]
Month: January 2025
Firefly’s Blue Ghost Mission Unveils High-Resolution Moon Landing Test Images
Firefly’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 is making strides toward the Moon, with NASA’s SCALPSS 1.1 successfully capturing high-resolution test images from all six of its cameras. Firefly’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 has reached day 15 of its 45-day journey to the Moon. Aboard the spacecraft, NASA’s Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume-Surface Studies (SCALPSS) 1.1 successfully […]
Defeating Superbugs: Researchers Uncover New Weapon Against Antibiotic Resistance
Complementary discoveries have the potential to enhance treatment options for antibiotic-resistant infections. Researchers at the University of Illinois have made complementary discoveries that enhance our understanding of bacterial immune systems and offer new strategies for combating antibiotic-resistant infections. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, often referred to as superbugs, pose a serious threat because they are challenging to treat […]
Treating Hair Loss Could Be As Simple as Flipping a Molecular “Switch”
A study suggests long scalp hair evolved as an adaptation to heat and later gained cultural significance. Researchers identified a dormant molecular program that could lead to improved therapies for hair loss. Treating hair loss may be as simple as developing therapies to flip a molecular “switch,” according to a new study by researchers from […]
LA’s Devastating Wildfire Crisis Didn’t Start With a Spark – It Started With Rain
A perfect storm of climate extremes set the stage for devastating wildfires in Los Angeles in early 2025. After two consecutive wet years fueled lush plant growth, an extended eight-month dry spell turned the landscape into a tinderbox. When powerful Santa Ana winds swept through, fast-moving blazes tore across 37,000 acres, consuming neighborhoods and hillsides. […]
LA’s Devastating Wildfire Crisis Didn’t Start With a Spark – It Started With Rain
A perfect storm of climate extremes set the stage for devastating wildfires in Los Angeles in early 2025. After two consecutive wet years fueled lush plant growth, an extended eight-month dry spell turned the landscape into a tinderbox. When powerful Santa Ana winds swept through, fast-moving blazes tore across 37,000 acres, consuming neighborhoods and hillsides. […]
From Earth to Mars in Two Years? NASA’s Nuclear Solution
NASA is working on a groundbreaking nuclear electric propulsion system that could dramatically speed up trips to Mars. The MARVL project aims to revolutionize space travel by breaking down massive radiator systems into smaller, robotically assembled components in space. This approach offers flexibility, eliminates payload constraints, and introduces a whole new way of designing spacecraft. […]
New One-Minute Video Game Accurately Detects Autism in Kids
An international partnership has led to the development of technology that identifies autism-specific traits. Researchers at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Nottingham Trent University have developed a one-minute video game that accurately differentiates children with autism from those with ADHD or neurotypical development. The tool, called the Computerized Assessment of Motor Imitation (CAMI), utilizes motion-tracking […]
Inside the Cell: Breakthrough Microscopy Exposes the Hidden Teamwork of Ribosomes
A new imaging technique reveals ribosomes work together when translating mRNA, preventing slowdowns in protein production. This discovery challenges prior beliefs and could revolutionize our understanding of cellular biology. Scientists from the Tanenbaum group at the Hubrecht Institute have developed an advanced microscopy technique to observe ribosomes in action inside living cells. This method allows […]
NASA Tracks Skyscraper-Sized Asteroid With a 1% Chance of Earth Impact in 2032
An asteroid the size of a skyscraper, 2024 YR4, has caught NASA’s attention due to a slight chance — just over 1% — of impacting Earth in 2032. While this sounds alarming, history shows that similar early warnings often fade with more observations. Scientists are watching closely, refining calculations, and gathering data to determine if […]