New Scientist Space - Space Headlines
Jupiter's moon Ganymede could be a giant dark matter detector
Large dark matter particles hitting Jupiter’s largest moon would form distinctive craters in its icy surface, and upcoming space missions might be able to spot them
Categories: Astronomy
Covid-19 seems to age blood vessels – but only among women
Women's arteries seem to be stiffer if they have had covid-19, with the same effect not being found among men
Categories: Astronomy
It is impossible to build a practical quantum broadcaster
A quantum broadcasting system would end up sending slightly different information to every receiver – and efforts to sidestep this problem are too inefficient for practical use
Categories: Astronomy
Weird microbial partnership shows how complex life may have evolved
Connecting tubes between bacteria and a kind of microbe called archaea may reflect a symbiotic relationship that led to complex cells more than 2 billion years ago
Categories: Astronomy
Oldest fast radio burst ever seen sheds light on early star formation
A bright flash of radio waves from 3 billion years after the big bang is illuminating parts of the universe that astronomers can’t normally see
Categories: Astronomy
We have detected a single electron with unprecedented speed
An extremely precise detection method for single electrons, which pins down the particles with a resolution of trillionths of a second, may provide a valuable building block for future quantum technologies
Categories: Astronomy
Brain activity can predict whether strangers will become friends
People who have similar neural responses to movie clips are more likely to become friends, indicating bonds form based off shared thought processes
Categories: Astronomy
Cancer-killing virus becomes more effective when shielded by bacteria
Virus-based treatments are already approved to treat several types of cancer, and combining them with bacteria could make them even more effective
Categories: Astronomy
Extremely cold atoms defy entropy and refuse to heat up
Adding energy to a group of ultracold atoms should make them fly away from each other with many different energies, but quantum effects can counteract this
Categories: Astronomy
Scientists created a new carbon molecule for the second time ever
For the first time in 35 years, scientists have analysed a new type of all-carbon molecule at room temperature, without the extreme conditions usually required to stabilise this type of molecule
Categories: Astronomy
New subtype of diabetes found in youths from sub-Saharan Africa
In sub-Saharan African youths diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, 65 per cent do not have antibodies or genetic risks associated with the disease, suggesting they have a novel non-autoimmune subtype of the disorder
Categories: Astronomy
Mind-reading AI can turn even imagined speech into spoken words
A brain-computer interface has enabled people with paralysis to turn their thoughts directly into words, requiring less effort than older techniques where a physical attempt at speech had to be made
Categories: Astronomy
Why no one can agree on what quantum physics really means
For a century, quantum theory has passed every experimental test, but physicists can’t agree on how to use it to paint a picture of our reality – or even whether that is possible
Categories: Astronomy
2024 saw a record-breaking number of dangerously hot and humid days
As the planet heats up, the atmosphere is holding more moisture – and this is resulting in more days with weather conditions close to the limits of survivability
Categories: Astronomy
2024 saw a record-breaking number of dangerously humid days
As the planet heats up, the atmosphere is holding more moisture – and this is resulting in more days with weather conditions close to the limits of survivability
Categories: Astronomy
Living at high altitude may help ward off obesity
Children seem to be less likely to be obese if they live at high altitude, which may be due to its effect on metabolism and appetite
Categories: Astronomy
ADHD drugs reduce risk of criminal behaviour, drug abuse and accidents
A study of 150,000 people with ADHD in Sweden confirms that drugs taken to manage the condition have wider benefits beyond improving immediate symptoms
Categories: Astronomy
mRNA drugs could protect against almost any kind of viral infection
mRNA drugs might be able to protect against a huge range of viruses by turning on key parts of our innate defences against infection
Categories: Astronomy
Jacket that gets thinner when you sweat could help avoid overheating
A material made from bacterial cellulose alters its insulating properties in dry and moist conditions, which could help you stay a comfortable temperature whatever the weather
Categories: Astronomy
Bill McKibben makes a powerful pitch for solar in optimistic new book
In Here Comes the Sun, environmentalist Bill McKibben argues that the rapid adoption of solar power should quell our worst climate fears. Is he right, asks James Dinneen
Categories: Astronomy