Science Ticker
A roundup of research and breaking news
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Climate
Arctic algae crusts preserve climate data
The records show that sea-ice cover has been declining since 1850.
- Planetary Science
MAVEN spacecraft blasts off to Mars
In September 2014, the satellite will begin studying the Red Planet's upper atmosphere.
- Humans
Humans’ music and genes may have evolved together
Music may be a tool scientists can use to trace human migrations.
- Health & Medicine
Nicotine withdrawal linked to specific brain cells in mice
A group of cells within one brain region may control the physical symptoms that plague people trying to kick their cigarette addiction.
- Neuroscience
Another look at paralysis
Robotic suits help paralyzed people move, but simple behavior changes may prevent the accidents that cause the injuries.
- Astronomy
Black hole spurts jets of iron and nickel
New observations show that the jets of black hole 4U 1630-47 carry massive particles such as iron and nickel atoms instead of the typical low-mass particles such as electrons.
- Animals
Gassed snails can’t jump
When exposed to high levels of carbon dioxide, some snails move like slugs and others don’t jump at all.
- Neuroscience
Mold chemical linked to movement disorder
Fruit flies’ brains and human cells show Parkinson’s-like changes when exposed to fungi toxin.
- Microbes
Microbes help hyenas send status updates
Bacteria in the animals’ waste give off fumes that let passersby know who has been there before.
- Microbes
Gut bacteria can drive colon cancer development
Gut microbes may reveal who is at risk for colon cancer, a study in mice suggests.
- Astronomy
Moon’s craters remeasured
Large craters cover more of the moon’s surface on its nearside than its farside, according to new maps from NASA’s GRAIL spacecrafts.
- Astronomy
Strange six-tailed asteroid makes a scene
In September, scientists used the Hubble Space Telescope to image the object and were shocked to see its cometlike appearance.
