Author Archives: Michael Irving

Alzheimer’s scientists uncover “seeding” process of toxic protein tangles

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Tau tangles (blue) can build up inside neurons, and are implicated in the formation of Alzheimer's

Researchers in Australia and China have shed new light on the murky origins of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, which could eventually lead to new treatments. The team uncovered a mechanism for how toxic tangles of tau proteins leak into healthy brain cells.

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Biosignature on Venus likely to be mistake, says new study

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Back in September last year, astronomers made a splash when they announced the discovery of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus, which could be a sign of life. But a new study has found that a different gas could explain the signature detected, and th… Continue reading Biosignature on Venus likely to be mistake, says new study→

Newly discovered “nano-chameleon” is world’s smallest known reptile

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The newly discovered Nano-Chameleon (Brookesia nana) is the smallest known reptile in the world

A tiny new species of chameleon has been discovered, and it seems to be the smallest reptile in the world. Known as Brookesia nana, or the nano-chameleon, the petite species can perch on a fingertip and may have the smallest adult males of any vertebrate.

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Experimental planetary radar captures incredible high-res Moon images

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Astronomers have captured stunning new high-resolution radar images of the Moon, using an experimental instrument mounted on a ground-based telescope. This proof of concept test paves the way for a more powerful radar telescope that could see as far as… Continue reading Experimental planetary radar captures incredible high-res Moon images→

Mystery Dyatlov Pass deaths may be explained by new scientific theory

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In 1959, a group of Russian hikers died under mysterious circumstances – and their story, now known as the Dyatlov Pass incident, has intrigued the world ever since. There’s been no shortage of theories about what happened, but none have been able to f… Continue reading Mystery Dyatlov Pass deaths may be explained by new scientific theory→

Diamond stays strong under highest pressure ever achieved in the lab

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Carbon comes in many different structures, most famously graphite and diamond. Other forms were predicted to exist at extremely high pressures, but now researchers have examined carbon under the highest pressure ever studied in the lab, and found that … Continue reading Diamond stays strong under highest pressure ever achieved in the lab→

Scientists bypass “undruggable” cancer proteins to shrink tumors in mice

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Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered how to effectively switch off a gene that drives the growth of cancer. The gene, known as Myc, has long been a target but was considered “undruggable” – so the team instead shut down a protein that i… Continue reading Scientists bypass “undruggable” cancer proteins to shrink tumors in mice→

Exoplanet system discovered with strange balance of order and disorder

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Astronomers have discovered a nearby system of exoplanets with unusually orderly orbits but disordered densities. Five of the six planets circle the star in a rare rhythmic dance called a resonance chain, and the types of planets are far more shuffled … Continue reading Exoplanet system discovered with strange balance of order and disorder→

“Living fossil” genome sequence reveals clues to evolution of life on land

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Genome sequencing can teach us a huge amount about a species, and now scientists have completed the sequence for one of the weirdest and most intriguing animals in the world. The Australian lungfish is a “living fossil” from the time our ancestors firs… Continue reading “Living fossil” genome sequence reveals clues to evolution of life on land→

Fluorescent microneedle patches detect biomarkers at much lower levels

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Nobody likes needles – at best they’re an unpleasant means to an important end. Microneedle patches could be a painless alternative, and now researchers have developed a way to use them to detect biomarkers at much lower levels, without drawing blood.C… Continue reading Fluorescent microneedle patches detect biomarkers at much lower levels→