Science Ticker
A roundup of research and breaking news
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Astronomy
Signs of cloudy skies seen in two exoplanet atmospheres
Exoplanets GJ 436b and GJ 1214b have signatures of clouds in their atmospheres, but the skies are like nothing seen in the solar system.
- Astronomy
Space station pump fixed after two spacewalks
The repair allowed astronauts to restore power to the labs and experiments running on the space station.
- Astronomy
Exoplanet dangerously close to demise
Kepler-91b could be on the brink of death — at least on astronomical time scales.
- Astronomy
Gaia spacecraft launches to map Milky Way
The ESA spacecraft blasted off from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, at 4:12 am EST.
- Neuroscience
Parkinson’s patients drive better with brain stimulation
Patients make fewer errors with a little help from implanted electrodes, at least on a computer.
- Psychology
Barcelona soccer team’s 2009 wins led to slight baby boom
In Bages, birth rates rose 16 percent, but in Barcelona they only increased 1.2 percent.
- Microbes
MRSA strain swiped skin bacteria genes to survive
A common strain of the dangerous microbe may be a wolf in sheep's clothing.
- Animals
Snake and lizard ancestor may have birthed live young
Over millions of years, reptiles may have switched back and forth between laying eggs and giving birth to live babies.
- Astronomy
Milky Way may indeed have four spiral arms
In 2008, the galaxy lost two of its spiral arms. But it may be getting them back.
- Astronomy
China’s Chang’e-3 craft lands on the moon
The unmanned Chang’e-3 lunar lander and Yutu rover have made it to the moon's surface.
- Microbes
Bacteria turn threatening in tests with immune cells
In less than 30 days, nonthreatening E. coli can transform into dangerous microbes in mice.
- Neuroscience
Concussion-free head blows may still affect brain
Some college athletes who played contact sports had more changes in their brain’s white matter than varsity competitors in less violent games.
