Long thought to be sterile, our brains are now believed to harbour all sorts of micro-organisms, from bacteria to fungi. How big a part do they play in Alzheimer’s and similar diseases? Nine years ago, Nikki Schultek, an active and healthy woman in her early 30s, experienced a sudden cascade...
Scientists close to solving mystery of how universe’s giant galaxies formed
‘Cosmic collisions’ 12bn years ago could be key to understanding formation, say researchers Galaxies crashing together 12bn years ago could have caused the universe’s biggest galaxies to form, according to research. A study by astronomers at the University of Southampton is hoping to solve what they are calling an “intergalactic...
Google DeepMind predicts weather more accurately than leading system
AI program GenCast performed better than ENS forecast at predicting day-to-day weather and paths of hurricanes and cyclones For those who keep an eye on the elements, the outlook is bright: researchers have built an artificial intelligence-based weather forecast that makes faster and more accurate predictions than the best system...
Exposure to air pollution increases infertility risk, US study finds
Research shows common air pollutants can be detrimental to egg, sperm and embryo development Maternal and paternal exposure to common air pollutants may increase the risk of infertility because it can be detrimental to egg, sperm and embryo development, new research in the US finds. Previous papers have established that...
Starwatch: crescent moon and Venus make a beautiful pairing
Slender curve of the moon and bright beacon of Venus will be visible in the south-south-west on 5 December No matter how many times you may have seen it, the crescent moon and the planet Venus make a beautiful pairing. This week, as twilight closes around the landscape, the duo...
Atmospheric analysis shows Venus never had Earth-like life, scientists say
Research indicates planet’s interior is dry in blow to theories that it was previously habitable With a surface hot enough to melt lead and with clouds of sulphuric acid above it, it is a planet often called Earth’s “evil twin” – similar in size, yet worlds apart. Some scientists have...
‘With brain preservation, nobody has to die’: meet the neuroscientist who believes life could be eternal
A brilliant young scientist believes that if we preserve our brains, they could be revived in the future, helping us live for centuries Elizabeth Hughes Gossett shouldn’t have survived beyond 11, the age at which she developed type 1 diabetes. Born in Albany, New York, Gossett received her diagnosis in...
XRP BREAKING GROUND AT ALL TIME HIGH
On Wednesday, December 4, news hit the wires of President-elect Donald Trump nominating former SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins as the next SEC Chair. Atkins will take office on January 20, 2025, coinciding with Chair Gary Gensler’s departure. This leadership shift signals a potential overhaul of crypto policy. As SEC Chair,...
‘Photographs did not do it justice’: King Louis XV’s magnificent rhino is star of new London exhibition
After wowing the court of Versailles over 200 years ago, the jet-black beast is back in the spotlight at the Science Museum King Louis XV’s rhinoceros was the star of the court of Versailles. Fed on a diet of bread, its tough hide was regularly massaged with oil. But it...
Can goats predict earthquakes? Can dogs forecast volcanic eruptions? These scientists think so
Tracking the behaviour of tagged animals from space could transform the research into a host of natural phenomena Scientists are enlisting some unusual recruits in their efforts to forecast earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other natural phenomena. They are enrolling thousands of dogs, goats, and other farmyard animals – as well...