Science

Gene for ‘toy’ dog breeds found in ancient wolves | Science

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When humans began intensively breeding dogs in 19th century Great Britain, they created a cornucopia of canines seemingly out of whole cloth: hulking bullmastiffs, graceful golden retrievers, and pint-size Yorkshire terriers. But the real key to their success, a new study reveals, was taking advantage of two tiny but powerful genetic ratchets that have controlled … Read more

Medical technology: Electric wound dressing could help injuries heal faster

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Electric fields have previously been shown to speed up wound healing, so researchers have created a dressing powered by static electricity Technology 26 January 2022 By Chris Stokel-Walker An ordinary wound dressing Shutterstock / Impact Photography An electric wound dressing can help heal injuries faster than existing methods, according to tests in rats. Previous research … Read more

Why is a Harvard astrophysicist working with UFO buffs? | Science

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Abraham “Avi” Loeb got the idea to hunt for aliens from cable TV. In June 2021, Loeb, an astrophysicist at Harvard University, was at home, watching NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on CNN talking about recent UFO incidents involving U.S. Navy pilots. “Do you think we have been contacted by extraterrestrials?” the CNN interviewer asked. Nelson … Read more

Regenerative medicine: Frogs regrow amputated legs after treatment with a chemical cocktail

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Adult frogs can’t usually regrow a lost leg, but they can after treatment with a regenerative cocktail – and the new leg even contains functioning nerves Health 26 January 2022 By Carissa Wong Regenerated frog tissue Nirosha Murugan/Algoma University), Hannah Vigran, Kelsie Miller/Tufts University in Levin lab Adult frogs can gain the ability to regrow … Read more

HIV: Cancer drug could one day help cure HIV by waking up dormant viruses

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An existing cancer drug has been found to also wake up dormant HIV, and it could eventually work with an HIV medicine in a “kick and kill” strategy Health 26 January 2022 By Clare Wilson The pembrolizumab monoclonal antibody drug protein molekuul.be / Alamy Stock Photo Today, HIV can be kept under control, but for … Read more

NASA’s ‘Nuclear Option’ May Be Crucial for Getting Humans to Mars

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The pathway to humans on Mars lies through the atom, split. Far from Earth, whether in the void or on another world, power is life. A steady, strong flow of electricity is as crucial for operating computers and engines as it is for assuring access to corporeal necessities such as light and heat, breathable air … Read more

Intergalactic supernova: Remnant of rare cosmic object may have been spotted outside Milky Way

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A ring-shaped object 160,000 light years away may be the first intergalactic supernova remnant ever observed Space 26 January 2022 By Jonathan O’Callaghan The remnant of an intergalactic supernova may have been spotted between the Large Magellanic Cloud (pictured) and the Milky Way Chandra X-ray Observatory The remains of a star that exploded in intergalactic … Read more

Vitamin D supplements really do reduce risk of autoimmune disease

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It has long been suspected that vitamin D could help reduce the risk of developing an autoimmune disease, and now we have evidence this is the case – at least for people over 50 Health 26 January 2022 By Carissa Wong Vitamin D tablets Jochen Tack/Alamy Vitamin D supplements really do prevent people developing an … Read more

Inside All About Space issue 126: Complete guide to exoplanets

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Inside All About Space magazine issue 126, on sale now, read our ultimate guide to exoplanets and see how our knowledge of worlds beyond the solar system has exploded in the last three decades.  For this cover feature, All About Space spoke with Nikku Madhusudham, a professor of astrophysics and exoplanetary science at the Institute … Read more