News in Brief
- Particle Physics
New particle probably can’t explain nuclear reactor neutrino mystery
An antineutrino anomaly seems due to problems with scientists’ predictions, not sterile neutrinos.
- Ecosystems
Volcanic eruptions nearly snuffed out Gentoo penguin colony
Penguin poop dumps data on how a Gentoo colony responded to ancient volcanic eruptions.
- Astronomy
Squabbles in star nurseries result in celestial fireworks
Images from the ALMA observatory in Chile reveal that early days of stars can be just as fiery as their death.
- Health & Medicine
Engineered immune cells boost leukemia survival for some
Engineered immune cells can extend life for some leukemia patients.
- Neuroscience
Food odors are more enticing to sleep-deprived brains
Sleep deprivation makes the brain more sensitive to food smells.
- Neuroscience
More brain differences seen between girls, boys with ADHD
ADHD looks different in the cerebellums of girls and boys with the condition.
- Planetary Science
Extreme gas loss dried out Mars, MAVEN data suggest
Over the planet’s history, the Martian atmosphere has lost 66 percent of its argon and a majority of its carbon dioxide, according to data from NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft.
- Oceans
Thinning ice creates undersea Arctic greenhouses
Arctic sea ice thinned by climate change increasingly produces conditions favorable for phytoplankton blooms in the waters below, new research suggests.
- Neuroscience
Sarcasm looks the same in the brain whether it’s words or emoji
Sarcasm via winking emoji affects the brain like verbal irony does.
- Neuroscience
Math-anxious brains tackle simple problems differently
An fMRI study found more variable brain activity in people who get nervous about math problems.
- Archaeology
Palace remains in Mexico point to ancient rise of centralized power
An ancient royal structure gets new life in southern Mexico.
- Astronomy
Close pass by sun didn’t radically alter comet 67P’s landscape
Landslides on comet 67P shot plumes of dust into space, but changes like these might not radically alter the landscape of the comet.
