Generations of scientists have compared the universe to a giant, complex game, raising questions about who is doing the playing – and what it would mean to win ​Generations of scientists have compared the universe to a giant, complex game, raising questions about who is doing the playing – and what it would mean to …

Is the universe a game? Read More »

A type of ice that has only ever been seen in the lab has now been found in space by the James Webb Space Telescope, and understanding it could tell us more about the chemistry that led to life on Earth ​A type of ice that has only ever been seen in the lab has …

Weird form of ‘dangling’ ice spotted in space for the first time Read More »

Crushed chicken egg shells have been turned into a structure that supports bone growth in the laboratory ​Crushed chicken egg shells have been turned into a structure that supports bone growth in the laboratory Crushed chicken egg shells have been turned into a structure that supports bone growth in the laboratory 

Pseudomonas aeruginosa — an environmental bacteria that can cause devastating multidrug-resistant infections, particularly in people with underlying lung conditions — evolved rapidly and then spread globally over the last 200 years, probably driven by changes in human behavior, a new study has found. ​Pseudomonas aeruginosa — an environmental bacteria that can cause devastating multidrug-resistant infections, …

Scientists map how deadly bacteria evolved to become epidemic Read More »

Exposure to wind-blown dust from exposed playa of the Utah lake is worse in Hispanic neighborhoods, according to new research. Findings suggest restoring the lake could ease social inequities associated with air pollution. ​Exposure to wind-blown dust from exposed playa of the Utah lake is worse in Hispanic neighborhoods, according to new research. Findings suggest …

How dust pollution from shrinking Great Salt Lake affects communities disproportionately Read More »

Certain pieces of DNA have been labeled as ‘selfish genetic elements’ due to notions that they don’t contribute to a host organism’s survival. Instead, researchers have now discovered that these elements have been weaponized and play a crucial role by cutting off a competitor’s ability to reproduce. ​Certain pieces of DNA have been labeled as …

Not so selfish after all: Viruses use freeloading genes as weapons Read More »

Climate change, drought, increased temperature and other stressors challenge agricultural sustainability. Researchers have now made an unexpected discovery: zinc plays a pivotal role in the plant response to abiotic stress. This groundbreaking discovery not only sheds light on the intricate mechanisms of plant growth but also holds promise for revolutionizing crop resilience, especially in legume-based …

Groundbreaking discovery: Zinc can make crop yields more climate-resilient Read More »

Scientists shed light on an unexpected partnership: A marine diatom and a bacterium that can account for a large share of nitrogen fixation in vast regions of the ocean. This symbiosis likely plays a key role for global marine nitrogen fixation and productivity, and thus uptake of carbon dioxide. The newly-discovered bacterial symbiont is closely …

Long-standing marine mystery solved: How algae get nitrogen to grow Read More »