News

Materials Science

Polymer could improve natural gas purification

A new polymer membrane that efficiently separates carbon dioxide from methane could greatly ease the processing of natural gas.

Astronomy

Record-breaking supernova

A newly discovered supernova, 100 billion times as bright as the sun, is the most luminous ever recorded.

Health & Medicine

Looking for Biomarkers: Protein signature may warn of impending Alzheimer’s disease

Measuring the amounts of certain proteins in the blood might provide early warning of Alzheimer's disease.

Earth

Bad Acid: Ocean’s pH drop threatens snail defense

As ocean waters trend toward acidity, a result of atmospheric greenhouse gas buildup, a shoreline snail's defense against predatory crabs may weaken.

Planetary Science

Portrait of a Martian crater

An ultrasharp image of part of Mars' Gale crater shows waterborne sediments and volcanic ash.

Health & Medicine

Beware the Starlings: Common birds can carry avian influenza

Common songbirds such as starlings may be able to carry and spread avian influenza.

Physics

Axion Gone: New tests find no sign of anomalous particle

New experiments contradict earlier claims of the discovery of the axion, a possible constituent of cosmic dark matter.

Health & Medicine

Regulating Muscle Decline: Small molecules linked to degenerative diseases

Snippets of RNA that regulate gene activity play a role in muscle-wasting diseases such as muscular dystrophy.

Anthropology

Going Coastal: Sea cave yields ancient signs of modern behavior

A South African cave yields evidence of complex, symbolic behavior among ancient people about 164,000 years ago, the oldest such indications yet.

Health & Medicine

Better Than Pap: Virus test detects cervical cancer

A new test for human papillomavirus (HPV) detects cervical cancer more reliably than traditional Pap smears.