Latest News

Scientists have spent decades puzzling over why noncoding DNA makes up the majority (98%) of the human genome, but studying the genome of carnivorous bladderwort plant, Utricularia gibba has offered...

Biological Sciences, Botany, Proteomics & Genomics

Wood-eating gribble could be key to biofuel future

June 6, 2013

Studying the gribble, a tiny marine organism that eats wood, has revealed a surprising discovery that may be an important step in the quest for sustainable fuels.Using advanced biochemical analysis...

Biological Sciences, Biotechnology

Modelling the Sun’s magnetic field

June 6, 2013

The important mechanism behind the generation of astrophysical magnetic fields such as that of the Sun has been uncovered by researchers at the Universities of Leeds and Chicago.The mechanism is...

Astronomy, Physics

Control a flying robot with just your thoughts

June 6, 2013

University of Minnesota researchers have developed a new non-invasive system that allows people to control a flying robot using only their mind. The work has the potential to help people...

Biological Sciences, Biotechnology

It’s going pear-shaped for atomic nuclei

June 5, 2013

According to the Standard Model, we shouldn’t even exist – but an international team of physicists have discovered that the reason we do may be due to pear-shaped nuclei.The discovery,...

Astronomy, Particle Physics, Physics

Coupling single atoms to form quantum states

May 30, 2013

Scientists at the London Centre for Nanotechnology have coupled single atoms to form quantum states by introducing individual silicon atom ‘defects’ using a scanning tunneling microscope.The study, which is published...

Particle Physics, Physics, Quantum Physics

Quantum carotenoids shine light on photosynthesis

May 25, 2013

Life Sciences, Physics & Engineering

The mechanism by which carotenoids help chlorophyll turn light into chemical energy has been uncovered by researchers at the Universities of Glasgow and Toronto.Carotenoids, the pigments that give carrots their...

Biological Sciences, Botany, Physics, Quantum Physics

Hunter-gatherers had a taste for fish

May 20, 2013

The first study to directly address the often posed question, “why did humans make pots?” reveals that the earliest use of ceramic vessels was for cooking fish.Researchers carried out the...

Biological Sciences, Paleobiology

3D printed shapes mimic living tissue

May 15, 2013

A custom-built programmable 3D printer that can print materials with the properties of living tissues has been developed by Oxford University researchers.The new type of printed material consists of thousands...

Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Cell Biology

Young galaxy is surprisingly efficient star-factory

May 13, 2013

Astronomers have discovered an extremely distant galaxy that has one of the largest star-formation rates they have ever seen.The new galaxy, called HFLS3, looks like a faint red smudge in...

Astronomy, Physics

Primordial soup secret revealed

May 10, 2013

Chemistry, Life Sciences, Physics & Engineering

Scientists may have cracked a common conundrum about how objects from space could have kindled life on Earth.The study, led by Leeds University, revealed how a chemical, similar to one...

Biochemistry, Biophysics, Chemistry, Physics

Ring rain influences Saturn’s atmosphere

May 8, 2013