Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have mapped the last unknown protein structure of HIV-1, the cytoplasmic tail of gp41, completing the virus's full structural picture. This breakthrough could guide new therapies that block viral replication, though further research is needed before clinical applications.
Li Zifeng, an oil drilling professor at China's Yanshan University, claims to have disproven Einstein's theory of relativity after two decades of work, but faces institutional rejection and online mockery. His assertions, reported by the state-run Global Times, argue the theory lacks practical proof, yet experts remain skeptical.
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson appeared on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' to critique the science behind 'Dune: Part Two,' focusing on the film's depiction of sand thumping and worm locomotion. He argues that sand absorbs sound rather than producing a thump and that worm-like creatures move in S-curves, not straight lines. Tyson acknowledges the need to let go of such inaccuracies for the sake of the story.
Daimler, the world's largest truck maker, is shifting to 3D printing for spare parts, reducing shipping and storage costs. The move highlights a broader industry trend as costs for additive manufacturing fall and other automakers expand their own 3D printing capabilities.
Medical researchers are exploring three distinct paths to create artificial hearts, including robotic implants, decellularized donor organs, and 3D-printed scaffolds. These efforts could address donor shortages and high costs, though early-stage experiments have yet to achieve full pumping function.
Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a byproduct of PFAS breakdown and fluorinated gases, has been detected in 94% of European tap water samples and is increasingly found in rainwater worldwide. Despite industry pushback, scientists warn of its potential health risks and the need for regulatory scrutiny.
A recent scientific simulation of a runaway greenhouse effect paints a stark picture of a potential climate tipping point. The study highlights how increased greenhouse gas concentrations could trigger an irreversible cascade, leading to extreme planetary warming. Researchers emphasize the urgent need for climate action to avert such a scenario.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires has prompted air quality warnings for parts of eight U.S. states and four Canadian provinces, affecting millions. The EPA's AirNow map shows moderate to unhealthy conditions in major cities, with health experts advising sensitive groups to stay indoors.
Researchers at the University of Basel, with Japanese colleagues, captured the first direct image of a hydrogen bond using an atomic force microscope. The breakthrough, published in Science Advances, could transform how scientists study molecular structures like DNA and polymers.
Researchers at JILA have built a 3D quantum gas clock with unprecedented stability, potentially aiding dark matter detection. The clock achieves record precision by using a quantum many-body system, opening new avenues for fundamental physics research.
From the Large Hadron Collider's record-breaking 7.2 trillion degrees Fahrenheit to the theoretical Planck temperature, physicists have identified several upper limits to heat. This article explores the hottest known and possible temperatures, and why conventional physics breaks down at extremes.
A physicist at the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur proposes that space behaves like a viscous fluid, a model that could explain why dark energy appears to weaken over time. The idea, still awaiting peer review, offers a fresh angle on discrepancies found by major sky surveys.
Netflix filed for a trademark on 'Space Force' in January 2019, nearly a year before the US military established its space warfare branch under the same name. The streaming service's move, tied to a satirical show, highlights the entertainment industry's early claim on the term.
Hurricane Ida's remnants unleashed record rainfall across the Northeast, killing at least 20 people and flooding transit systems. Scientists and geologists point to climate change as a key driver of such extreme events, urging immediate action beyond temporary resilience measures.
A 330-foot floating barrier named Jenny, developed by nonprofit The Ocean Cleanup, recently pulled nearly 20,000 pounds of plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The device, towed by two vessels, is part of a broader effort to remove 90 percent of floating ocean plastic by 2040. Experts caution about limitations, including surface-only collection and fossil fuel use.
A team aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus has captured video of a rock formation on the Pacific seafloor that resembles a paved road. The structure, found on the Liliʻuokalani Ridge, is actually a result of ancient volcanic activity, not a lost city. The discovery highlights the ongoing work of marine researchers to map and understand the deep ocean.
New data from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln shows that 45 US states are currently facing at least moderate drought conditions, with Colorado and North Carolina among the hardest hit. The report highlights severe impacts on winter wheat crops and rising wildfire risks, while some regions see temporary relief from recent rains.
A new study identifies the mechanism driving Antarctica's Blood Falls, a crimson outflow from Taylor Glacier. Researchers link the eerie discharge to pressure changes from the glacier's movement, expelling ancient briny water. The findings solve a century-old mystery with a purely physical explanation.
NASA's Swift satellite has identified a magnetar surrounded by a wind nebula, a phenomenon never before observed around these highly magnetic neutron stars. The discovery challenges existing theories about how such nebulae form and persist, offering a new window into magnetar behavior and energy dynamics.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a smart window that can switch between transparent and opaque while generating electricity from sunlight. The technology, funded by NASA, uses liquid crystals and a thin silicon layer to power itself and potentially other devices, offering both energy efficiency and privacy control.
