News
- Astronomy
Assault on Andromeda: Nearby galaxy had recent collision
New findings suggest that a small galaxy recently plunged into Andromeda, opening a new window on collisions that are rare today but were common in the early universe.
- Physics
Vanishing Actor: Physicists unveil first invisibility cloak
The first functional invisibility cloak, which operates at microwave frequencies, has emerged from the laboratory.
-
Quirky Cardiology: Crocs’ hearts may aid their digestion
The crocodile's ability to direct oxygen-depleted blood to its stomach may be instrumental in digesting large, bony meals.
- Chemistry
Back on the Table? Element 118 is served up again
A team of nuclear chemists from the United States and Russia have announced the brief reappearance of element 118.
- Planetary Science
A sunrise view of Mars
The first high-resolution images sent by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter support the notion that water once flowed across much of the Red Planet.
-
Horns vs. Sperm: Male beetles on tight equipment budget
A group of dung beetle species that sprout elaborate horns often face trade-offs between horn and testes sizes.
-
Autism’s DNA Trail: Gene variant tied to developmental disorder
A study of more than 700 families with children diagnosed with autism has identified a gene variant, already known to affect brain formation, that boosts a person's chances of developing this severe disorder.
-
Air’s oxygen content constrains insect growth
The size to which insects grow is limited by their need to route oxygen to tissues in their legs.
- Earth
Waters near croplands impair frogs’ immunity
Pesticide-containing waters leave frogs more susceptible to fungal infections than pristine environments do.
-
Cloning is most efficient using non–stem cells
Fully matured cells can be used to clone animals.
- Animals
Tropical diversity came with time
Species in richly diverse tropics don't evolve faster than do species in temperate zones.
- Health & Medicine
Antiviral drug may limit herpes spread
In people with genital herpes, the drug famciclovir sharply reduces virus shedding from the genitalia.
