WETENSCHAP EN TECHNOLOGIE BL – 2

Time to eat Astronomers watched in real time as the supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy went from dim and quiet to bright and actively feeding on material, Adam Mann reported in “For the first time, scientists witness a black hole turning on” (SN: 7/13/24 & 7/27/24,... Read more »

Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses the complexity of chronic pain, the spread of diseases and training crocs to avoid eating certain toads.... Read more »

A few hours in high temps reduced the ability of antennae to detect flower scents by 80 percent. That could impact the bees’ ability to find food.... Read more »

Worker exposure to vinyl chloride became tightly regulated after the chemical was linked with liver cancer. Now, its use may be on the chopping block.... Read more »

Two clinical trials found that the nonhormonal drug elinzanetant eased hot flashes and improved sleep, two common menopause symptoms.... Read more »

A new painkiller nearing approval called suzetrigine may prove to be an opioid alternative. But for many with chronic pain, treatment must go beyond pills.... Read more »

Different measurements of the cosmic expansion rate disagree. The James Webb telescope could determine whether that disagreement is real.... Read more »

Nuclear clocks could rival atomic clocks and allow for new tests of fundamental physics. A new experiment demonstrates all the ingredients needed.... Read more »

The crabs are climate migrants and could be a harbinger of changes to come as more species move in.... Read more »

The 50-million-year-old Pegasus volans isn't closely related to seamoths or oarfish, like some researchers have suggested. But what is it?... Read more »

In AI Snake Oil, two computer scientists set us straight on the power and limits of AI and offer advice for moving forward.... Read more »

A missing porbeagle shark was likely killed by a great white. It’s the first known case of adult porbeagles being hunted by a predator, scientists say.... Read more »

Warmer winters are fast becoming a global phenomenon and can affect everything from the food we grow to the spread of diseases.... Read more »

Mayonnaise’s texture is perfect for mimicking what a fusion fuel capsule goes through after it’s blasted with lasers.... Read more »

The research team has published new results from the MOSAiC project. Photosynthesis occurs in nature even under very low light conditions, according to a global study focused on Arctic microalgae growth following the polar night. This research was conducted during the MOSAiC expedition near the 88° northern latitude. Findings indicate... Read more »

Researchers have identified increasing concentrations of the persistent pollutant trifluoroacetate in Denmark’s groundwater over the last 60 years, with recent levels surpassing safety limits. This study points to the significant, growing impact of PFAS compounds on environmental and public health. Rainwater and water from ponds and lakes gradually seep into... Read more »

MIT engineers have discovered promising new materials that could revolutionize proton conduction and lead to more energy-efficient fuel cells, electrolyzers, batteries, or computing devices. By identifying traits that enhance proton mobility, the team has pinpointed six potential materials that could outperform existing options, offering a path toward efficient, low-temperature energy... Read more »

Boeing’s Starliner completed its mission from the International Space Station with a successful deorbit burn, re-entry, and parachute-assisted landing in New Mexico. Its advanced heat shield and airbag system facilitated a safe landing, showcasing its capabilities as a reusable spacecraft. At 6:04 p.m. EDT on September 6, Starliner autonomously undocked... Read more »

Suppressing male hormones with pharmaceuticals has historically been beneficial, but in more advanced cases, increasing hormone levels can have significant clinical advantages. A treatment paradox has recently come to light in prostate cancer: Blocking testosterone production halts tumor growth in early disease, while elevating the hormone can delay disease progression... Read more »

New Findings Challenge Classical Views Held by Scientists What happened to the water that once covered Mars? Scientists know that some went deep underground, but where is the rest? Evidence shows that some water molecules broke into atoms, which rise through the Martian atmosphere and escape into space. By combining... Read more »

A new study reveals how tidal forces within binary neutron star systems can provide deep insights into the universe’s workings and the internal dynamics of these stars through gravitational wave analysis. A better understanding of the inner workings of neutron stars will lead to a greater knowledge of the dynamics... Read more »

Cannabis and hallucinogen use among adults remained at historic highs in 2023. Vaping among younger adults and binge drinking among mid-life adults also maintained historically high levels. The 2023 Monitoring the Future survey revealed sustained high levels of cannabis and hallucinogen use among adults, with emerging trends such as increased... Read more »

An international team at JILA is pioneering a nuclear clock that surpasses current atomic clocks in precision, potentially enabling advancements in GPS, internet synchronization, and secure communications. Their work, leveraging thorium nuclei and ultraviolet lasers, has also established a crucial link to existing atomic timekeeping systems, offering insights into the... Read more »

Invasive peach blossom jellyfish, originating from China, have proliferated across British Columbia’s freshwater bodies, with sightings expected to escalate due to climate change. Researchers at UBC highlight that these creatures, which are clones, pose potential risks to native species by outcompeting them An invasive, freshwater jellyfish is popping up in... Read more »

VEIR, founded by MIT alumnus Tim Heidel, has developed technology that can move more power over long distances, with the same footprint as traditional lines. The startup has introduced a groundbreaking power transmission line in Woburn, Massachusetts, that can handle up to ten times the power of traditional lines without... Read more »

Scientists will study nearby galaxies to uncover galactic formation history and dark matter. The universe may seem static, only capable of being captured in still frames, but that is far from the truth. It is actually ever-changing, just not on timescales clearly visible to humans. NASA’s upcoming Roman Space Telescope... Read more »

A health policy expert from UMass Amherst provides insight based on findings from the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group. A comprehensive analysis conducted by scientists, including a public health researcher from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has pinpointed the top three methods for smoking cessation: Varenicline – This prescription medication is... Read more »

Discoveries in the Arctic point to potential antivirulence antibiotics that could help overcome bacterial resistance. Antibiotics are vital to modern healthcare; without them, anyone with open wounds or undergoing surgery would face a constant risk of dangerous infections. Yet, the rapid evolution of new resistant strains of bacteria has significantly... Read more »

Bands of fast-moving wind that blow west to east around the globe play a crucial role in weather – a poleward shift in parts of these jet streams could cause dramatic changes in weather from the western US to the Mediterranean... Read more »

Charging new lithium-ion batteries with high currents can significantly increase their total lifespan... Read more »

Breaching is a common behaviour in a wide range of sharks and rays, and it is thought to have functions related to courtship, birthing and hygiene... Read more »

Information theory tells us the limits of what can and cannot be communicated – and without it, the digital revolution could never have happened... Read more »

On a recent expedition, researchers braved summer storms in northern Greenland to learn the secrets of the ancient peoples who lived there 4500 years ago... Read more »

Information on faces recognised, voice commands and internet searches can be extracted from an Amazon Echo smart assistant without help from the user or manufacturer... Read more »

The largest pterosaurs, ancient reptiles that were the first vertebrates to master flight, may have mostly soared while smaller ones flapped their wings, a pattern that persists in today's birds... Read more »

Saline drops and sprays have already been linked to reduced cold symptoms in adults and now a study suggests they also work in children... Read more »

In counties in the US affected by a bat-killing disease, there has been a 31 per cent increase in insecticide use and an 8 per cent rise in infant mortality... Read more »

Rubbing a common yellow food dye onto a mouse's skin turns it temporarily transparent, so we can monitor its insides without harming the animal... Read more »

Cyanobacteria exposed to shorter days are better at surviving cold conditions, showing that even simple organisms can prepare for the arrival or summer and winter... Read more »

News of the asteroid 2024 RW1 impacting near the Philippines may have come as a shock this week, but space agencies and astronomers around the world are keeping an eye out to protect us... Read more »

People with cancer may have understandable reasons to follow Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson in declining chemotherapy, but the odds aren’t in their favour, warns Elle Hunt... Read more »

The forecasts predicted an extreme storm season in the Atlantic, but so far there have only been three named hurricanes – so where are all the storms?... Read more »

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