Exhibition showcasing China's manned space achievements kicks off; new-gen manned spacecraft on display for first time

An exhibition showcasing China's 30 years of achievements in manned spaceflight opened at the National Museum of China on Friday. For the first time, the new-generation of manned spacecraft and the lunar surface lander are on public display, according to China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The exhibition highlights China's ambitious space pursuits, showcasing the breakthroughs […]

Ukraine crisis enters 'garbage time,' likely to last long: experts

This past weekend saw continued fighting between Russia and Ukraine on the frontlines and behind the lines. Dozens of battles were reported in frontline areas, while airports, train stations and other targets in both countries were hit. Although the battle is burning its way into Russian territory, neither side has much ability to change the […]

How to tell if a T. rex is expecting

Call it a T. rex pregnancy test. Chemical analyses of fingernail-sized slivers of bone can reveal whether a Tyrannosaurus rex was expecting, paleontologist Mary Schweitzer of North Carolina State University in Raleigh and colleagues report March 15 in Scientific Reports. The analyses confirm that T. rex had medullary bone, a type of reproductive tissue found […]

Ancient dwarf galaxy was heavy-element factory

SALT LAKE CITY — In the primeval universe, a violent event roiled a dwarf galaxy, leaving an indelible mark on the stars that formed there. Scientists reached that conclusion after finding traces of heavy elements produced by the cataclysm in the ancient dwarf galaxy Reticulum II. “It might be the first time where we can […]

Large Hadron Collider starts its 2016 physics run

The Large Hadron Collider is back in business. On May 9, after its regular winter hiatus, CERN’s particle accelerator outside Geneva officially began taking data from protons smashing together at nearly the speed of light. Scientists hope the collisions will reveal new discoveries about the universe and unearth exotic elementary particles. In March, CERN physicists […]

Math offers new view of brain and its disorders

Of the many disorders that can afflict the brain, schizophrenia and autism are among the most inscrutable. The long scientific searches to explain their causes have turned up many clues and inspired various theories. But no clear answers have emerged. A new way of thinking about these disorders has begun to show promise, Laura Sanders […]

Obesity’s weight gain message starts in gut

Gut microbes cause obesity by sending messages via the vagus nerve to pack on pounds, new research in rodents suggests. Bacteria in the intestines produce a molecule called acetate, which works through the brain and nervous system to make rats and mice fat, researchers report in the June 9 Nature. If the results hold up […]

For cleanest hands, squirt and count to 30

BOSTON — You’ve heard the advice: For clean hands, scrub with soap and water for as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. But is hand sanitizer just squirt and go? Finally, there’s a scientific answer: To kill bacteria, rub for at least 15 to 30 seconds. After 45 seconds, you’re not doing […]