Science

Data collected by Juno during its first pass over Jupiter’s mysterious, roiling storm called the Great Red Spot in July 2017 indicate that this famous feature has roots that penetrate about 200 miles (300 km) into the gas giant’s atmosphere. This full-disc image of Jupiter was taken on 21 April …

The silky anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) has previously been recognized to be a single species divided into several sub-species. But a new genetic analysis, published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, suggests that this enigmatic mammal is not one species, but seven separate ones. The silky anteater (Cyclopes didactylus). …

The build-up of urea, also known as carbamide, in the brain to toxic levels can cause brain damage — and eventually dementia, according to new research. An old man diagnosed as suffering from senile dementia. Color lithograph, 1896, J. Williamson, Byrom Bramwell. Image credit: Wellcome Images / CC BY 4.0. …

Our solar system used to have nine planets before the demotion of Pluto to “dwarf planet,” but some scientists think there might still be nine planets. Perhaps we simply haven’t been able to spot the ninth planet because it’s so distant. It’s been almost two years since researchers from Caltech …

Every comet, asteroid, and planetoid astronomers have been able to examine up close is native to our solar system, but scientists have long theorized an interstellar visitor could one day come rocketing through our neighborhood. That’s exactly what happened earlier this year when researchers at the Pan-STARRS observatory detected ‘Oumuamua, …

New research led by a University of Illinois physicist has proved the existence of a new form of matter — ‘excitonium,’ a solid crystal of excitons. The research, led by Professor Peter Abbamonte, is published in the December 8 issue of the journal Science. Artist’s depiction of the collective excitons …

A team of scientists at Caltech has created the smallest version of the Mona Lisa ever — out of DNA. The work is described in a paper appearing in the journal Nature. DNA rendering of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa viewed with atomic force microscopy. Image credit: Tikhomirov et al. …

Over the past few years, SpaceX has demonstrated some impressive firsts once relegated to science fiction. The company has slashed the cost of orbital missions, even if the exact details of those savings are somewhat disputed. It developed and successfully landed a rocket, then successfully relaunched several rockets earlier this …

A diet that makes one individual lean and healthy might have the complete opposite effect on another, according to a new study published in the journal Genetics. One diet doesn’t fit all, and what works for some may not be best for others. Image credit: Rita E. “Dietary advice, whether …

A team of researchers at the University of St Andrews has discovered how New Caledonian crows (Corvus moneduloides) make one of their most sophisticated tool designs — sticks with a neatly-shaped hooked tip. The study is published in the journal Current Biology. New Caledonian crows know what it takes to …