In the Jan. 21 SN: Supercontinent superpuzzle, seeking better batteries, real nausea in virtual reality, reversing premature aging, pitcher plant ambush, quantum weirdness confirmed and more.

January 21, 2017

NOAHELHARDT/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Archives

Feature

Better batteries charge forward

Next-generation batteries must hold more energy for longer periods at low cost. Several contenders may achieve some of these elusive goals.

1 year ago

Chemistry
Feature

Evidence falls into place for once and future supercontinents

Shifting landmasses have repeatedly reshaped Earth’s surface. Researchers piecing together the past are now picturing a new supercontinent, due in 250 million years.

1 year ago

Earth
News

Proteins that reprogram cells can turn back mice’s aging clock

Proteins that reprogram adult cells to an embryonic-like state can rejuvenate prematurely aging mice.

1 year ago

Epigenetics,
Health,
Cells
How Bizarre

Moon’s lava tubes could be colossal

Lava tubes inside the moon could remain structurally sound up to 5 kilometers across and offer prime real estate for lunar colonists.

1 year ago

Planetary Science
News

Zippy new jumping bot catches air again and again

Leaping robot can bounce from floor to wall, parkour-style, and, like a bush baby, uses a “super-crouch” to get extra oomph out of jumps.

1 year ago

Robotics,
Technology
Film

Hidden Figures highlights three black women who were vital to the U.S. space program

"Hidden Figures" tells the untold story of the "human computers" who were essential to the launch of the U.S. space program.

1 year ago

Numbers,
History of Science,
Computing
What Were They Thinking?

Ancient Egyptian pot burials were not just for the poor

In ancient Egypt, using pots for burial containers was a symbolic choice, not a last resort, archaeologists say.

1 year ago

Archaeology,
Anthropology
News

Virtual reality raises real risk of motion sickness

New research confirms anecdotal reports that virtual reality headsets can cause motion sickness, and may affect women more than men.

1 year ago

Science & Society,
Health
Science Visualized

Shimmering soap bubbles have a dark side

Merging dark spots are indicators that a bubble is about to burst.

1 year ago

Biophysics
Science Stats

Birth defects occur in 1 in 10 pregnancies with first trimester Zika infection

About 6 percent of U.S. women infected with Zika virus have infants or fetuses with birth defects, according to preliminary CDC results. For women infected in the first trimester, the number is even higher: nearly 11 percent.

1 year ago

Health