The Conversation

The stark landscape of the Moon as viewed by the Apollo 12 astronauts on their return to Earth. Credit: NASAChandrayaan-3’s landing on the Moon and subsequent sulfur detection has propelled lunar ice research forward, aiding NASA’s plans for a sustainable lunar station. These developments highlight the growing collaboration in space exploration.Building a space station on the Moon might seem like something out of a science fiction movie, but each new lunar mission is bringing that idea closer to reality. Scientists are…

Incretin hormones, produced in our gut, play a pivotal role in managing metabolism and weight, akin to the function of drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro. This natural weight loss system, activated by our dietary choices and the health of our gut microbiome, offers a built-in method for obesity and diabetes control. By focusing on nurturing our gut health through proper nutrition, we can unlock this natural mechanism, offering a sustainable approach to weight management that parallels the benefits of these modern…

Advancements in understanding addiction highlight its genetic and neurobiological roots. Addictive substances impact brain gene expression, but these changes are not permanent and can be influenced by targeted medications and lifestyle changes, offering new hope for treatment.Research reveals addiction has a genetic basis and is influenced by changes in brain gene expression, which can be altered by medications and lifestyle, providing new treatment possibilities.Many people are wired to seek and respond to rewards. Your…

A multiple-exposure photograph of insects circling a light at night. Credit: Samuel FabianRecent research utilizing high-speed tracking has explored the longstanding mystery of why insects are drawn to and circle around light sources at night. The study debunks previous theories, such as attraction to heat or mistaking artificial lights for celestial navigation cues, and introduces the dorsal light response as a key factor.It’s an observation as old as humans gathering around campfires: Light at night can draw an…

Rather than a tracking tag telling scientists where this shark traveled, its violent removal let them observe an unexpected regeneration process. Credit: Josh Schellenberg, CC BY-NDDuring a migration study, a researcher discovered a silky shark in Florida regenerating its dorsal fin, highlighting the species’ extraordinary healing powers.I made an accidental and astonishing discovery while studying the movements of sharks off the coast of Jupiter, Florida. I set out to record the migration routes of silky sharks, named…

Most people only consume about half of the recommended amount of dietary fiber, and it can negatively affect overall health.Fiber is key to gut health and overall wellness, yet many diets lack sufficient fiber. Balance and variety in fiber sources are important for its full health benefits.There’s no shortage of advice about what to eat, including hype about the latest superfoods that will help you live to 100, or about the newest restrictive diets that claim to help you lose weight and look beautiful. As a researcher…

A global fight against measles faces setbacks from vaccine hesitancy, highlighting the need for increased adult vaccination to protect against outbreaks.Measles, once controlled through widespread vaccination, is resurging due to misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. Efforts to increase adult MMR vaccination aim to restore herd immunity and prevent outbreaks.Imagine a disease more infectious than any other known to medical science, that would kill 2.6 million young children every year and leave millions more with deafness…

By Ewan D. Barr, Arunima Dutta, and Benjamin Stappers February 3, 2024Researchers have identified an enigmatic cosmic system that might contain an object bridging the gap between neutron stars and black holes, challenging existing astrophysical classifications and deepening our insight into cosmic extremes. Credit: SciTechDaily.comAstronomers discover a celestial object that defies classification, possibly uncovering a new type of cosmic entity at the edge of known physics.Sometimes astronomers come across objects in the…

Birdlike dinosaur Eoneophron infernalis was about the size of an adult human. Credit: Zubin Erik DuttaNew findings, including the discovery of Eoneophron infernalis, suggest that dinosaurs, particularly caenagnathids, were not declining in diversity before the asteroid impact, contradicting earlier theories of their vulnerability.Were dinosaurs already on their way out when an asteroid hit Earth 66 million years ago, ending the Cretaceous, the geologic period that started about 145 million years ago? It’s a question that…

By Suman Majumdar, Brendan Crabb, Emma Pakula, and Stuart Turville January 28, 2024JN.1, a new COVID-19 variant detected in August 2023, has quickly spread worldwide, showing significant evolutionary changes from previous strains. This development calls for ongoing vigilance and adaptation in global health strategies. Credit: SciTechDaily.comThe JN.1 COVID-19 variant, emerging in late 2023, marks a significant shift in the virus’s evolution, emphasizing the need for sustained global health efforts.Since it was detected…