Science

In a scientific first, a research team led by Gladstone Institutes scientists turned mouse skin cells into so-called induced pluripotent stem cells by activating a specific gene using CRISPR technology. The results appear in the journal Cell Stem Cell. Liu et al demonstrate that induced pluripotency can be achieved through …

Astronomers have actually handled to estimate the internal structure of a white dwarf, one of the possible final product of outstanding development, discovering a heavier core with more oxygen than previous designs recommended. This may have important repercussions for various locations of astrophysics. The research study, released in Nature, goes …

A power hiccup on Earth is probably little more than an annoyance, but it could be deadly during a theoretical deep space or Mars mission. NASA is looking into ways to power life support and scientific instruments reliably during future manned spaceflights, and small-scale nuclear reactors are at the top …

Viruses are the most abundant and one of the least understood biological entities on modern Earth. They might also exist in space, but as of yet scientists have done almost no research into this possibility. Portland State University’s Professor Ken Stedman and co-authors hope to inspire integration of virus research …

Using data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, a team of planetary researchers led by Cornell University has produced a new global topographic map of Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. Top: stereographic polar projections of Titan’s topography with the South Pole left and the North Pole right; Ontario Lacus and the …

According to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, it is alarmingly easy to spread the influenza virus by simply breathing. Colorized transmission electron micrograph of negatively stained SW31 (swine strain) influenza virus particles. Image credit: NIAID / CC BY 2.0. People commonly believe …

An international team of researchers from Ecuador and Peru has discovered two new frog species living in the tropical rainforests of the Amazon basin — and named one of them after famous American filmmaker Stanley Kubrick. Dendropsophus kubricki, adult male, from Río Tapiche, Requena, Peru. Image credit: P.J. Venegas. The …

Many of the genes involved in natural repair of the injured spinal cord of a fish called the lamprey are also active in the repair of the peripheral nervous system in mammals, according to a new study. European river lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis) in Pirita river, Estonia. Image credit: Tiit Hunt …

A newly discovered species of bird-like dinosaur, Caihong juji, had a beautiful iridescent coloration, according to a study published in the journal Nature Communications. Caihong juji lived in China about 161 million years ago and may have used its impressive feathers to attract mates. Image credit: Velizar Simeonovski, Field Museum. …

Chameleons are small to mid-size tree-dwelling reptiles that are famous for their ability to change colors. A team of researchers from Germany has now discovered that the crests and tubercles on the heads of many chameleon species emit blue fluorescence when illuminated with ultraviolet (UV) light. A paper reporting this …