Down near the Earth's core, there are zones where seismic waves slow to a crawl. New research finds that these enigmatic and descriptively-named ultra-low velocity zones are surprisingly layered. Modeling suggests that it's possible some of these zones are leftovers from the processes that shaped the early Earth -- remnants...
Leveraging space to advance stem cell science and medicine
The secret to producing large batches of stem cells more efficiently may lie in the near-zero gravity conditions of space. Scientists have found that microgravity has the potential to contribute to life-saving advances on Earth by facilitating the rapid mass production of stem cells.
High-resolution lab experiments show how cells ‘eat’
A new study shows how cell membranes curve to create the 'mouths' that allow the cells to consume things that surround them.
Contorted oceanic plate caused complex quake off New Zealand’s East Cape
Researchers used a novel finite-fault inversion method with seismometer data from around the world to investigate a deep intraslab earthquake that occurred on March 4, 2021, off the northeastern tip of New Zealand's North Island. This imaging revealed complex rupture geometry that included shallow faulting with trench-perpendicular extension and unusual...
Radioactive radiation could damage biological tissue also via a previously unnoticed mechanism
When cells are exposed to ionizing radiation, more destructive chain reactions may occur than previously thought. An international team led by researchers has now observed intermolecular Coulombic decay in organic molecules. This is triggered by ionizing radiation such as from radioactivity or from space. The effect damages two neighboring molecules...
Communication between cells plays a major role in deciding their fate
Scientists have found a way to prove that biochemical signals sent from cell to cell play an important role in determining how those cells develop, findings that can help explain how stem cells differentiate and how cancer arises and proliferates, possibly leading to new treatments.
‘Battle of the sexes’ begins in womb as father and mother’s genes tussle over nutrition
Scientists have identified a key signal that the fetus uses to control its supply of nutrients from the placenta, revealing a tug-of-war between genes inherited from the father and from the mother. The study, carried out in mice, could help explain why some babies grow poorly in the womb.
‘Nano-chocolates’ that store hydrogen
An innovative approach could turn nanoparticles into simple storage devices for hydrogen. The concept uses nanoparticles made of the precious metal palladium.
Templating approach stabilizes ‘ideal’ material for alternative solar cells
Researchers have developed a method to stabilize a promising material known as perovskite for cheap solar cells, without compromising its near-perfect performance.
Earth’s first giant
The two-meter skull of an enormous new ichthyosaur species, Earth's first known giant creature, reveals how both the extinct marine reptiles and modern whales became giants.