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Scientists detect tones in the ringing of a newborn black hole for the first time
Results support Einstein’s theory and the idea that black holes have no “hair.”
September 12, 2019 -
For first time, astronomers catch asteroid in the act of changing color
Asteroid is likely shedding reddish dust, revealing a fresh, blue surface beneath.
August 29, 2019 -
Robotic thread is designed to slip through the brain’s blood vessels
Magnetically controlled device could deliver clot-reducing therapies in response to stroke or other brain blockages.
August 28, 2019 -
Physicists design an experiment to pin down the origin of the elements
With help from next-generation particle accelerators, the approach may nail down the rate of oxygen production in the universe.
August 20, 2019 -
Rocky, Earth-sized exoplanet is missing an atmosphere
Study reports on search for an atmosphere around a planet somewhat similar to ours.
August 19, 2019 -
Data-mining for dark matter
Tracy Slatyer hunts through astrophysical data for clues to the invisible universe.
August 15, 2019 -
TESS discovers three new planets nearby, including temperate “sub-Neptune”
Planetary system orbiting an unusually quiet star is ideal for future habitability searches.
July 29, 2019 -
Seeking new physics, scientists borrow from social networks
Technique can spot anomalous particle smashups that may point to phenomena beyond the Standard Model.
July 25, 2019 -
Tuna are spawning in marine protected areas
Despite being highly migratory, tuna may benefit from ocean sanctuaries, study finds.
July 24, 2019 -
Breaching a “carbon threshold” could lead to mass extinction
Carbon dioxide emissions may trigger a reflex in the carbon cycle, with devastating consequences, study finds.
July 8, 2019 -
Spotting objects amid clutter
New approach quickly finds hidden objects in dense point clouds, for use in driverless cars or work spaces with robotic assistants.
June 19, 2019 -
Engineers 3-D print flexible mesh for ankle and knee braces
Techniques could lead to personalized wearable and implantable devices.
June 19, 2019 -
A droplet walks into an electric field …
Researchers have found a simple formula that could be useful for air purification, space propulsion, and molecular analyses.
June 17, 2019 -
An escape route for carbon
Study shows minerals sequester carbon for thousands of years, which may explain oxygen’s abundance in the atmosphere.
June 12, 2019 -
Algorithm tells robots where nearby humans are headed
A new tool for predicting a person’s movement trajectory may help humans and robots work together in close proximity.
June 10, 2019 -
Pantry ingredients can help grow carbon nanotubes
Study finds baking soda, detergent, and table salt — all rich in sodium — are effective catalysts.
May 28, 2019 -
Mathematical technique quickly tunes next-generation lenses
“Metasurfaces” that manipulate light at tiny scales could find uses in cellphone lenses, smart-car sensors, and optical fibers.
May 21, 2019 -
Grad student John Urschel tackles his lifelong balance of math and football in new memoir
“Being capable of thinking quantitatively — it’s the single most important thing,” says the former NFL lineman.
May 15, 2019 -
Robots shoot for the moon in MIT’s annual 2.007 competition
Robotic sweepers, flappers, and telescoping arms face off for a shot at coveted engineering prize.
May 10, 2019 -
Explosions of universe’s first stars spewed powerful jets
Instead of ballooning into spheres, as once thought, early supernovae ejected jets that may have seeded new stars.
May 8, 2019 -
Ocean activity is key controller of summer monsoons
Results may help researchers interpret ancient monsoon variations, predict future activity in the face of climate change.
May 7, 2019 -
North Atlantic Ocean productivity has dropped 10 percent during Industrial era
Phytoplankton decline coincides with warming temperatures over the last 150 years.
May 6, 2019 -
3 Questions: Salvatore Vitale on LIGO’s latest detections
“We will keep listening for these faint and remote cosmic whispers,” says the physics professor.
May 2, 2019 -
New polymer films conduct heat instead of trapping it
Material may replace many metals as lightweight, flexible heat dissipators in cars, refrigerators, and electronics.
April 29, 2019 -
“Nanofiber yarn” makes for stretchy, protective artificial tissue
Twisted fibers coated with living cells could assist healing of injured muscles and tendons.
April 23, 2019