Science

Nanomechanical resonators are vital to precision sensing and emerging quantum technologies, but their extraordinary sensitivity comes with an unexpected vulnerability. A nanomechanical device can lose much of its ability to sustain vibrations without ever touching another object. Researchers at EPFL have discovered that placing insulating materials just a few hundred nanometers from these tiny structures [...]

Neutron experiments have uncovered an unexpected connection between magnetic structure and electrical behavior. A gentle squeeze can change the magnetic structure of certain crystals and alter their electrical behavior. Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) demonstrated this effect in altermagnets, an emerging class of magnetic materials being investigated for advanced [...]

Ice, experts said, can change the shape of a plane’s wing, disrupting its aerodynamics.

Kashmiri saffron is one of the world’s most expensive spices. It’s primarily cultivated in the Pampore region of Jammu and Kashmir in India. Often referred to as ‘red gold’ because of its high value, saffron is prized for its rich aroma, distinctive flavour and quality Continue reading...

New observations of a young star system reveal an unexpected cosmic structure Astronomers have finally detected a mysterious, enormous dust structure in visible light, uncovering new details about what may be the remains of a violent collision between planetary bodies. Known as the “Cat’s Tail,” the feature stretches across as much as 1,000 astronomical units [...]

When you step into an ice-cold lake, it would be nice if your body warned you about possible harm with a polite message: "Your feet may be at risk. Would you kindly consider stepping out?"

The totality of bacteria, viruses and fungi that exist in and on a multicellular organism forms its natural microbiome. The interactions between the body and these microorganisms significantly influence the host organism's functions and health. Among other things, researchers have shown that the microbiome plays an important role in defense against pathogens. On the other hand, they suspect that imbalances in the microbiome's composition are linked to the development of so-called environmental d

New research from Oregon Health & Science University shows that additional vitamin C intake during pregnancy can be an effective, low-cost and accessible intervention to promote infant emotional well-being.

If your home isn't in a federally designated flood zone, flooding might seem like someone else's problem. No one requires you to buy flood insurance, and the map suggests you're in the clear. But reality may be very different.

A new study led by Dr. Shikma Zaarur of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in collaboration with Dr. Ran Erel of the Agricultural Research Organization–Volcani Institute, reveals that agricultural soils may contain a substantial unaccounted-for reservoir of potassium, an essential nutrient for plant growth, that is largely overlooked by conventional soil testing methods. The findings could pave the way for more precise fertilizer recommendations, potentially reducing unnecessary fertilizer use

While ammonia (NH₃) is best known for its role in fertilizer production, it is attracting attention as a carbon-free hydrogen carrier, potentially offering a practical way to store and transport clean fuel. Despite this promise, NH₃ synthesis still depends on high-temperature, high-pressure processes that are difficult to scale up sustainably. The reason behind this is the extremely strong bond between nitrogen atoms in nitrogen gas (N₂), which requires a lot of energy to break.

Global cervical cancer cases and deaths could rise by 20.2% and 39.3%, respectively, by 2050, according to a modeling study published in Nature Medicine. The findings suggest that the burden of cervical cancer will remain unevenly distributed, with the highest incidence and mortality rates in sub-Saharan Africa.

Human intelligence is still a bit of an enigma. Researchers have some ideas about why advanced intelligence evolved in humans, but they have not come to a conclusive answer. One prominent idea is that intelligence serves a social function. In their new study, a group of researchers led by Jonathan Egeland reports additional evidence supporting this idea. According to their research, published in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior, greater intelligence seems to garner more respect, but only

What does a healthy river look like? For most of us, an obvious answer would involve two aspects: water flowing through a channel and green vegetation along its banks. However, in reality, a river's health depends on several factors, such as how much water flows through it, how water moves through the landscape, how that flow changes with the seasons, how sediment moves downstream, how often it spills into its floodplain and how these processes change with the seasons.

A study of for-profit hospices acquired by private equity firms found that Medicare spending rose by 5.9% per hospice stay after acquisition, compared with similar for-profit hospices that weren't acquired. The increase was driven mainly by longer stays, with the average length of stay rising by 6.3 days. This was likely related to shifts toward patients who use less daily care, including a significant increase in the share of patients with dementia, consistent with a larger share of patients di

Scientists studying the neurology of tame foxes identified changes in a part of the brain that has previously been associated with aggression, according to a new paper that compared the brains of domesticated, aggressive and wild foxes. The changes occurred in an area at the base of the brain called the ventromedial hypothalamus, which is known to drive aggression, control decisions related to energy use and play an important role in maternal instincts and social behaviors in mice.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATM) is a congenital metabolic disorder. It is caused by a genetic defect, which results in the protective protein alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) being produced incorrectly. This deficiency primarily damages the lungs and the liver, where it can lead to serious conditions such as pulmonary emphysema, liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. In particularly severe cases, an organ transplant is the last resort. There is as yet no curative treatment.

“The explosion packed roughly a billion years of the sun’s energy output into a pencil-thin beam” The post A Collapsing Star Produced an Afterglow Brighter Than Its Galaxy appeared first on Nautilus.

New simulations reveal how a medieval story’s earliest years may have determined its survival. The medieval world may have produced far more stories of knights, legendary heroes, and epic adventures than historians will ever recover. A new study suggests that up to 60% of medieval chivalric works and more than 95% of their handwritten copies [...]

Working as a Christian minister years ago, Landon Schnabel noticed a paradox common to many U.S. churches: Men filled leadership roles, implying that religion is masculine and patriarchal, but many more women participated in services, Bible study and other activities.