Gastrointestinal surgeries carry risk of fluid leaks, a potentially life-threatening complication. But no existing methods can reliably and non-invasively detect these leaks. To address this unmet need, researchers developed a tiny, soft, flexible sticker that changes in shape inside the body, enabling standard ultrasound tech to detect leaks for earlier detection and intervention. After the …

Shape-shifting ultrasound stickers detect post-surgical complications Read More »

For many hundreds of millions of years, the average temperature at the surface of the Earth has varied by not much more than 20 degrees Celsius, facilitating life on our planet. To maintain such stable temperatures, Earth appears to have a ‘thermostat’ that regulates the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide over geological timescales, influencing global …

Rock weathering and climate: Low-relief mountain ranges are largest carbon sinks Read More »

In a new study, researchers have used the fossil record to better understand what factors make animals more vulnerable to extinction from climate change. The results could help to identify species most at risk today from human-driven climate change. ​In a new study, researchers have used the fossil record to better understand what factors make …

New study reveals insight into which animals are most vulnerable to extinction due to climate change Read More »

Sound waves thought to be from a 2014 meteor fireball north of Papua New Guinea were almost certainly vibrations from a truck rumbling along a nearby road, new research shows. The findings raise doubts that materials pulled last year from the ocean are alien materials from that meteor, as was widely reported. ​Sound waves thought …

Interstellar signal linked to aliens was actually just a truck Read More »

The middle-aged brain could provide a window into future cognitive health. A team reviewed evidence from human and animal studies suggesting that middle age — commonly considered as the period between 40 and 60 or 65 years of age — marks a shift in brain aging. They argue that more research should be dedicated to …

Biomarkers of the middle-aged brain predict cognitive health in old age Read More »

Physicists are developing a method that could enable the stable exchange of information in quantum computers. In the leading role: photons that make quantum bits ‘fly’. ​Physicists are developing a method that could enable the stable exchange of information in quantum computers. In the leading role: photons that make quantum bits ‘fly’. Physicists are developing a …

Making quantum bits fly Read More »

Italian canoes capable of transporting people and goods have been dated to the Neolithic period, suggesting there was a bustling trade across the Mediterranean Sea ​Italian canoes capable of transporting people and goods have been dated to the Neolithic period, suggesting there was a bustling trade across the Mediterranean Sea Italian canoes capable of transporting people …

Ancient canoes hint at bustling trade in Mediterranean 7000 years ago Read More »

A dolphin that lived in the Amazon 16 million years ago grew to a length of 3.5 metres – larger than any other freshwater dolphin ​A dolphin that lived in the Amazon 16 million years ago grew to a length of 3.5 metres – larger than any other freshwater dolphin A dolphin that lived in the …

Extinct freshwater dolphin from the Amazon was largest of all time Read More »