Robotic white blood cells crawl against the current to deliver drugs

In the future, many diseases may be treated by tiny robots swimming through the bloodstream, delivering drugs. The latest test of these kinds of medical machines comes from researchers at the Max Planck Institute, who took inspiration from white blood … Continue reading Robotic white blood cells crawl against the current to deliver drugs

Bacterial attack system hijacked and controlled with light

Some bacteria are known to inject toxins into host cells using a syringe-like appendage. Past research has found that we might be able to hijack that as a new drug delivery system, and now scientists from the Max Planck Institute have developed a way t… Continue reading Bacterial attack system hijacked and controlled with light

High-energy cosmic neutrinos traced back to their home quasars

There are billions of tiny particles called neutrinos streaming through your body right now. But where did they come from? Russian researchers have now traced back some ultra-high energy neutrinos to their points of origin – radio flares from raging qu… Continue reading High-energy cosmic neutrinos traced back to their home quasars

New technique makes thousands of semi-synthetic photosynthesis cells

Photosynthesis is one of nature’s most useful chemical reactions, so it’s not surprising that scientists often try to mimic it. Now, researchers from the Max Planck Institute have developed a new way to make hybrid synthetic living cells that can use p… Continue reading New technique makes thousands of semi-synthetic photosynthesis cells

Is the Sun always this quiet or is it just a phase?

To get a sense of how “normal” the Sun may be, astronomers have compared the Sun to hundreds of similar stars. It turns out that it’s actually far less active than its peers – but is this a permanent personality, or is it just going through a phase?Con… Continue reading Is the Sun always this quiet or is it just a phase?

Upgraded LIGO hears new tones in the gravitational wave song

For the first time, scientists have managed to pick up higher harmonics accompanying the cosmic song that rings out through the universe. The LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave detectors have been listening to this song for years, and after a round of u… Continue reading Upgraded LIGO hears new tones in the gravitational wave song

coproID gets the poop on source of fossilized feces

If you were studying the diet of ancient humans, it certainly wouldn’t help if you got their preserved feces confused with those of their dogs. A new analytical system system known as coproID is designed to keep that from happening.Continue ReadingCate… Continue reading coproID gets the poop on source of fossilized feces

New Yale study rekindles debate over dangers of third-hand smoke

A new study is offering the most comprehensive real-world demonstration of how volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can spread throughout indoor environments from cigarette smokers’ clothing and bodies. Often referred to as third-hand smoke, the research … Continue reading New Yale study rekindles debate over dangers of third-hand smoke

Yale simulations probe the unstable recipe behind "intergalactic pancakes"

Galaxies are well studied, but far less is known about the vast stretches of space between them. Though it seems empty, the intergalactic medium (IGM) actually contains more matter than galaxies do – it’s just hard to see because it’s not shi… Continue reading Yale simulations probe the unstable recipe behind "intergalactic pancakes"

"Jellyfishbot" could shed light on ocean environments and deliver drugs inside the body

A team of engineers in Germany has created a tiny jellyfish-inspired robot, which can not only swim, but transport objects, mix fluids and even bury itself. It’s hoped the five-millimeter tetherless “jellyfishbot” could help us understand the… Continue reading "Jellyfishbot" could shed light on ocean environments and deliver drugs inside the body