Science Ticker
A roundup of research and breaking news
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Health & Medicine
One in three U.S. adults takes opioids, and many misuse them
More than a third of U.S. adults used prescription opioids in 2015, and nearly 13 percent of that group misused the painkillers in some way.
- Materials Science
Slug slime inspires a new type of surgical glue
A new glue that mimics a slug’s mucus secretions sticks well, even when wet. The adhesive could be used in place of sutures or staples in surgeries.
- Animals
Elephant seals recognize rivals by the tempo of their calls
The distinct sputtering-lawnmower sound of a male elephant seal’s call has a tempo that broadcasts his identity to competitors.
- Planetary Science
New Horizons’ next target caught making a star blink
The team behind the spacecraft that visited Pluto has seen its next quarry blocking the light from a distant star.
- Tech
This robot grows like a plant
A new soft robot navigates its environment by growing in a manner inspired by plants.
- Climate
Rising temps may mean fewer passengers on airplane flights
Global warming could force airplanes to carry a lighter load — and fewer passengers —on each flight.
- Genetics
CRISPR adds storing movies to its feats of molecular biology
Video and images could be stored in living bacteria with a little help from the iconic gene editor, CRISPR.
- Planetary Science
Here are Juno’s first close-ups of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot
The Juno spacecraft swooped just 9,000 kilometers above Jupiter’s Great Red Spot on July 10. Here are the first pictures.
- Astronomy
Teeny-weeny star vies for title of smallest known
A Saturn-sized star is one of the smallest yet discovered.
- Animals
Whales feast when hatcheries release salmon
Whales: “They’re 40 feet long and they’re feeding on fish that are the size of my finger.”
- Astronomy
The most distant star ever spotted is 9 billion light-years away
A bright blue star sends its light from two-thirds of the way across the universe, thanks to a chance alignment with a galaxy cluster.
- Planetary Science
Juno will fly a mere 9,000 km above Jupiter’s Great Red Spot
Juno is about to get up close and personal with Jupiter’s Great Red Spot.
