Hints of intriguing diversity seen in super-energetic ‘fast radio bursts’

The story of sneaky fast radio bursts (FRBs) may be more complicated than we imagined. It’s tough to figure out the origin stories of FRBs because they’re so brief, so bright and appear to come from numerous regions in the sky. Most of these powerful cosmic blasts seem to occur in young galaxies, although that’s … Read more

A new reference human genome could reflect our species’ true diversity

The current reference human genome is based on a handful of people but the new Pangenome project will incorporate DNA from hundreds of people all around the world Humans 16 March 2022 By Michael Marshall DNA sequence data Shutterstock / Gio.tto The human genome is being sequenced again – but better. A new project to … Read more

Diversity researchers say fix the system in physics, not the students | Science

This story is part of a special package being published this week about the barriers Black physicists face and potential models for change. Read more C. Smith/Science Physicist Mary James was a sophomore at Hampshire College in Massachusetts in 1974 when a professor encouraged her to apply for a prestigious internship at a world-class laboratory. … Read more

Michigan’s surprising recipe for improving diversity in graduate physics | Science

This story is part of a special package being published this week about the barriers Black physicists face and potential models for change. Read more C. Smith/Science Roy Clarke missed the freewheeling atmosphere of the legendary Bell Telephone Laboratories after he left Bell to join the physics faculty at the University of Michigan (UM), Ann … Read more

DNA Shed by Deep-Sea Organisms Reveals a Dark Abyss Teeming With Tiny Life Forms

Sweeping the ocean floor at hundreds of points throughout the world, researchers have revealed an astonishing diversity of microscopic life thriving in the deepest and darkest parts of our planet.   The sediment collected at each spot was analyzed for environmental DNA (eDNA), which marine animals shed as they go about their lives. While sea … Read more

Fix the Planet newsletter: Can tree diversity help the climate?

By Adam Vaughan Rainforest at dawn, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda, Africa. Dylan Garcia Photography / Alamy Stock Photo This is Fix the Planet, the weekly climate change newsletter that reminds you there are reasons for hope in science and technology around the world. To receive it in your inbox, sign up here. Hi, welcome back … Read more

The Largest Discovery of New Mammals in 90 Years Has Just Been Revealed

After a decade of documenting and observing Indonesian shrews on the island of Sulawesi, researchers have published their findings and detailed 14 new species – the biggest discovery of new mammals listed in a single paper since 1931.   Specifically, we’re talking about 14 new endemic species of the shrew genus Crocidura. Using genetic and … Read more

Languages: One tongue could be lost per month this century

By Christa Lesté-Lasserre Researchers Lindell Bromham and Xia Hua analyse data on the Gurindji language Jamie Kidston/ANU Denser road networks, higher levels of education and even climate change are just a few of the factors that could lead to the loss of more than 20 per cent of the world’s 7000 languages by the end … Read more

Being LGBT in Geoscience Is like Being Invisible

In 1972, long before conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion became commonplace, the Geological Society of America (GSA) held its first National Conference on Minority Participation in Earth Sciences and Mineral Engineering, where the first formal conversation about the lack of gender, racial and ethnic diversity in geosciences took place. Geoscience was, and continues to … Read more

Pansexual astronaut Cameron Bess on launching with Blue Origin and why diversity matters in space

Pansexual Twitch streamer Cameron Bess fulfilled a lifelong dream to go to space on Saturday (Dec. 11), framing the opportunity as an important representation moment for the LGBTQ+ community. Bess launched on a suborbital trip with Blue Origin as one of six space tourists on the company’s New Shepard rocket. They flew with their father, … Read more