Science

Harvard chemist convicted by U.S. jury of lying about financial links to China | Science

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A jury in Boston today found Harvard University chemistry professor Charles Lieber guilty of lying to federal agencies about his research ties to a Chinese university. The unanimous verdict came barely 3 hours after closing arguments in the case, part of the U.S. government’s 3-year-old China Initiative that has targeted some 2 dozen academic scientists … Read more

‘Sea unicorns’ are especially sensitive to human noise | Science

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One of the ocean’s most legendary creatures is also one of the most sensitive to human noise. A new study finds the unicornlike narwhal is affected by ship sounds more than most other whales and dolphins. The noises—which are growing more frequent as ships push further into the narwhal’s Arctic habitat—could disrupt the whales’ hunting … Read more

Biggest science news of 2021: Learning the pros and cons of working from home during the covid-19 pandemic

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The covid-19 pandemic has forced millions to participate in one of the biggest social experiments of our time. Nearly two years in, it’s time to take stock: what happens when workers abandon offices? Humans 15 December 2021 By Alice Klein Working from home has led to rises in productivity for some Experience Interiors/iStock THE covid-19 … Read more

Biggest science news of 2021: Igenuity helicopter flies on Mars, the first time we’ve conducted powered flight on another planet

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In April, the Ingenuity helicopter became the first vehicle ever to attempt powered flight on another planet. Theodore Tzanetos tells New Scientist of the exhilaration he felt leading the team Technology 15 December 2021 By New Scientist The Ingenuity helicopter NASA/JPL-Caltech OF ALL the craft that visited the Red Planet this year, perhaps the biggest … Read more

Science and music collide with the James Webb Space Telescope

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Lee Feinberg, the Optical Telescope Element manager for Webb, who is also a musician. (Image credit: NASA/Chris Gunn) What’s the secret ingredient that has supported scientists at NASA in creating the most powerful space telescope in history? Music. The James Webb Space Telescope, a collaborative effort between NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian … Read more

Science of wine: European grapes have their genetic routes in western Asia

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We used to think that European wine grapes were cultivated locally, independently of grape domestication in western Asia, but grape genetics suggests otherwise Humans 21 December 2021 By Carissa Wong Red grapes ready to be harvested in a vineyard alika/Shutterstock Grapes used to make common European wines may have originated from grapevines that were first … Read more

Biggest science news of 2021: Three different missions land on Mars in one month

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Over the course of just 10 days in February, three missions arrived at Mars. Together, they are creating a clearer picture of our closest planetary neighbour Space 15 December 2021 By Leah Crane The Tianwen-1 mission Xinhua/Alamy OVER the course of just 10 days in February 2021, three missions arrived at Mars. The first was … Read more