According to research supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation, gene duplications being selected over evolutionary time — not the specialization of certain enzymes — allows wood rats to feed on creosote bush, a highly toxic desert shrub. The… ​According to research supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation, gene duplications being selected over evolutionary …

When the only thing you can eat can kill you, having more gene copies can help Read More »

A new analysis of “marsquakes” measured by NASA’s InSight lander indicates Mars has a solid inner core – but other researchers say the evidence is thin ​A new analysis of “marsquakes” measured by NASA’s InSight lander indicates Mars has a solid inner core – but other researchers say the evidence is thin A new analysis of …

Mars may have a solid inner core like Earth does Read More »

Regular pulses of X-ray radiation emanating from a supermassive black hole could be explained by a white dwarf star on the verge of falling in ​Regular pulses of X-ray radiation emanating from a supermassive black hole could be explained by a white dwarf star on the verge of falling in Regular pulses of X-ray radiation emanating …

A supermassive black hole is sending out a mysterious pulsing beat Read More »

Trees dating back almost 6000 years ago have come to scientists’ attention due to ice melting in the Rocky Mountains, offering a “time capsule” into the past ​Trees dating back almost 6000 years ago have come to scientists’ attention due to ice melting in the Rocky Mountains, offering a “time capsule” into the past Trees dating …

Melting ice reveals millennia old forest buried in the Rocky Mountains Read More »

A new technique involving lasers can measure long distances more precisely than ever, which could be useful for space telescopes ​A new technique involving lasers can measure long distances more precisely than ever, which could be useful for space telescopes A new technique involving lasers can measure long distances more precisely than ever, which could be …

Laser technique measures vast distances with nanometre precision Read More »

Scientists have discovered the most distant and therefore oldest blazar ever seen. Labeled J0410–0139, the blazar is at the center of a galaxy 12.9 billion light years away and provides a rare glimpse into what the universe was like when it was less… ​Scientists have discovered the most distant and therefore oldest blazar ever seen. …

‘Far out’ blazar discovery suggests early universe had more supermassive black holes than previously thought Read More »

A new artificial intelligence-based method quickly solves complex math equations used broadly across many industries — and it’s faster running on a personal computer than traditional methods using supercomputers. The research was funded by multiple… ​A new artificial intelligence-based method quickly solves complex math equations used broadly across many industries — and it’s faster running …

AI vs. supercomputers: New AI-based method solves complex equations faster and uses less computing power Read More »

Comet 2024 G3 (ATLAS) should be visible from the southern hemisphere, and possibly also the northern hemisphere, over the next few days ​Comet 2024 G3 (ATLAS) should be visible from the southern hemisphere, and possibly also the northern hemisphere, over the next few days Comet 2024 G3 (ATLAS) should be visible from the southern hemisphere, and …

Comet that could shine as bright as Venus set to be visible from Earth Read More »

A more detailed understanding of the natural anti-insect protections of tomato plants can lead to better pest-management strategies ​A more detailed understanding of the natural anti-insect protections of tomato plants can lead to better pest-management strategies A more detailed understanding of the natural anti-insect protections of tomato plants can lead to better pest-management strategies 

For the first time, atoms of the metal indium have been chilled to temperatures a few millionths of a degree above absolute zero, a state where strange quantum phenomena begin to appear ​For the first time, atoms of the metal indium have been chilled to temperatures a few millionths of a degree above absolute zero, …

Ultracold indium atoms could make unexpected new types of matter Read More »