News
- Earth
Every six years, Earth spins slightly faster and then slower
Changes in day length linked to workings of Earth's core.
- Planetary Science
Gas, not planets, may be source of rings around stars
Interactions between gas and dust may form elliptical patterns.
- Life
Bacterial molecules may prevent inflammatory bowel disease
Common compounds produced by gut microbes quench colitis in mice.
- Space
Interstellar chemistry makes use of quantum shortcut
Reactions in the frigid cold of space are sped by a quirk of physics, researchers propose.
- Anthropology
Agriculture’s roots spread east to Iran
Dig supports prolonged development of domesticated crops at ancient sites across the Fertile Crescent.
- Health & Medicine
People may have evolved to fight cholera
People in Bangladesh have genetic variations that might defend against the disease.
- Life
Lab-grown liver raises hopes but draws criticism
Though human cells spontaneously group into rudimentary organs, some scientists say work is very preliminary.
- Physics
Particles defy gravity, float upstream
Inspired by tea leaves’ reverse route into a kettle, physicists demonstrate that water’s surface tension allows unexpected movement.
- Animals
Gut microbes may put barrier between species
Wiping out gut bacteria in wasps saves crossbred offspring from death, suggesting that microbes may play a role in speciation.
- Animals
Honeybees use right antennae to tell friend from foe
Asymmetry in sense of smell alters insects' behavior in lab tests.
- Earth
Faults can reseal months after quakes
Measurements in southern China find quick healing of fractured rock.
- Science & Society
Math targets cities’ essence
New formula relates city size to infrastructure, productivity.
