Male contraceptive pill proves effective and reversible in mice

Researchers have reported a new non-hormonal male contraceptive pill that disrupts a particular protein involved in sperm formation. Tests in mice have so far been promising, showing effective prevention of pregnancy, reversibility within weeks, and no… Continue reading Male contraceptive pill proves effective and reversible in mice→

Alcoholism treatment restores vision in mice with macular degeneration

Scientists have found that an existing drug, already used in humans to treat alcohol use disorder, could help restore vision lost to conditions like age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. The discovery also uncovers a new mechanism … Continue reading Alcoholism treatment restores vision in mice with macular degeneration→

New data reveals secrets of million-light-year-wide “odd radio circles”

Astronomers may be a step closer to solving a cosmic mystery known as odd radio circles (ORCs). New images, captured by the MeerKAT radio telescope, are the clearest and most detailed yet taken of an ORC, helping to narrow down the list of suspects as … Continue reading New data reveals secrets of million-light-year-wide “odd radio circles”→

NASA confirms discovery of 5,000th exoplanet – with billions more to find

The hunt for planets beyond our solar system has now reached a major milestone. Astronomers report the discovery of the 5,000th exoplanet – with potentially hundreds of billions left to find.Continue ReadingCategory: Space, ScienceTags: Exoplanet, Plan… Continue reading NASA confirms discovery of 5,000th exoplanet – with billions more to find→

RNA “evolution” breakthrough offers new clues on the origins of life

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have created an RNA molecule that can not just replicate, but “evolve” into a diverse range of more complex molecules. This find could plug a major gap in the puzzle of how life on Earth began.Continue ReadingCate… Continue reading RNA “evolution” breakthrough offers new clues on the origins of life→

Strange new form of ice discovered in high pressure experiments

Ice may seem pretty simple in our everyday experience, but it actually comes in at least 20 different forms. Scientists at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) have now discovered a new type of ice that may be found deep in the Earth’s mantle or o… Continue reading Strange new form of ice discovered in high pressure experiments→

Firing lasers at the Moon to detect early-universe gravitational waves

A team of European researchers has suggested that the Moon’s orbit could be used as a gigantic detector for gravitational waves – ripples in the very fabric of spacetime itself. These waves, much smaller than those that existing detectors can pick up, … Continue reading Firing lasers at the Moon to detect early-universe gravitational waves→

Disney’s “Holobricks” could stack up for larger holograms

Holograms are one of sci-fi’s longest promised technologies, and one of real science’s longest-running disappointments. Scientists at Cambridge and Disney Research may be a step closer to making them less disappointing, creating new “holobricks” that c… Continue reading Disney’s “Holobricks” could stack up for larger holograms→

James Webb snaps first in-focus image – and photobombs another spacecraft

The James Webb Space Telescope has snapped its first in-focus image. The milestone comes after the mission team spent the last few weeks aligning its mirrors, and the telescope is now set to meet or even exceed its original science goals. It was also r… Continue reading James Webb snaps first in-focus image – and photobombs another spacecraft→

Simple fix helps perovskite solar cells withstand the Sun

Perovskite materials are quickly emerging as a promising candidate for solar cells, but one of their major downsides is that they can degrade in direct sunlight. Researchers at UCLA have now uncovered a root cause of the problem, and found a simple fix… Continue reading Simple fix helps perovskite solar cells withstand the Sun→