Science

Brain burns fat during neuronal activity, challenging traditional beliefs

Neurons break down fat into fatty acids sent to mitochondria to produce energy.

 Neurons stained for lipid droplets.

Study: Even when responses are identical, people prefer human empathy over AI

 Study: Even when responses are identical, people prefer human empathy over AI. Illustration.

What makes people 'cool'? Study unveils universal traits

 What makes people 'cool'? Study unveils universal traits. Illustration.

Netflix to stream live NASA launches and missions

 Smoke and steam billow across Launch Complex 39B as the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121.

Saltwater and UV alchemy: Researchers develop eco-friendly gold extraction method

The new technique eliminates toxic chemicals by using a common disinfectant and a recyclable polymer to recover gold from electronic waste.

 Saltwater and UV alchemy: Researchers develop eco-friendly gold extraction method. Illustration.

Study finds 20-minute naps boost creative problem-solving

University of Hamburg researchers found that a 20-minute nap with deep N2 sleep boosts chances of creative breakthroughs and increases the likelihood of experiencing a true 'eureka moment.'

 Study finds 20-minute naps boost creative problem-solving.

Scientists 3D print functional human pancreatic islets, a breakthrough for diabetes treatment

Dr. Perrier: "We are getting closer to the goal of developing a standard treatment for diabetes that could one day make insulin injections unnecessary".

 Pancreas with islet cells.

Rulers of the sea: 100 million years ago squids were kings

Researchers uncovered 263 fossilized squid beaks, including about 40 different species that had never been seen before.

 An example of  grinding tomography images.

Ancient 'zombie' fungi found in amber reveal earliest parasitic relationships with insects

Discovery pushes back origin of Ophiocordyceps fungi by 30 million years, suggesting fungi evolved by shifting to new hosts.

 Ancient 'zombie' fungi found in amber reveal earliest parasitic relationships with insects.

Earth's oldest stones: New dating puts Greenstone Belt age at 4.16 billion years

Researchers used two isotope decay methods to confirm the age of ancient magma in the Nuvvuagittuq rocks.

 Earth's oldest stones: New dating puts Greenstone Belt age at 4.16 billion years.

Hiroshima University Discovers Rare Mineral on Asteroid Ryugu, Challenging Space Theories

Masaaki Miyahara said it’s like finding a tropical seed in Arctic ice - suggesting either a surprising local environment or long-distance transport in the early solar system.

 Ryugu.

Scientists discover 22 new viruses in Chinese bats

The newly discovered viruses are closely related to deadly viruses that can cause severe brain inflammation and respiratory disease in humans, with mortality rates reaching up to 75%.

 Bats in the market.

Orangutans nap longer after restless nights, long-term rainforest study reveals

Researchers monitored 53 adult apes in the sumatran rainforest for fourteen years and found their naps extend five to ten minutes for each lost hour of night sleep.

 Orangutans nap longer after restless nights, long-term rainforest study reveals.

James Webb Space Telescope captures image of TWA 7b, smallest exoplanet ever photographed

Using its Mid-Infrared Instrument, JWST directly imaged TWA 7b, ten times lighter than any exoplanet previously captured in images.

 James Webb Space Telescope captures image of TWA 7b.