Category: Science News

Why Scientists Are Obsessing Over the Bugs in Our Stool

In this series, we’ll share how the latest developments on this medical frontier are transforming our approaches to illness and offering new strategies to heal and prevent disease. Previously: The roles that microbes play in the body have been linked to processes that appear protective against disease. When disease happens, the link is dysbiosis, or…


Bears Know the Secret to Preventing Blood Clots

Scientists may have found a solution to blood clotting ailments from one of nature’s most unlikely sources, bears. Those of us who had to sit on long flights know all too well the medical warnings that sitting inactive for hours can cause blood clots in our legs and lungs. These warnings arise from the fact…


Europe’s Most Powerful Nuclear Reactor Kicks Off in Finland

HELSINKI—Finland’s much-delayed and costly new nuclear reactor, Europe’s most powerful by production capacity, has completed a test phase lasting more than a year and started regular output, boosting the Nordic country’s electricity self-sufficiency significantly. The Olkiluoto 3 reactor, which has 1,600-megawatt capacity, was connected into the Finnish national power grid in March 2022 and kicked…


European Spacecraft on Way to Jupiter and Its Icy Moons

A European spacecraft rocketed away Friday on a decadelong quest to explore Jupiter and three of its icy moons that could hold buried oceans. The journey began with a perfect morning liftoff by Europe’s Ariane rocket from French Guiana on the coast of South America. But there were some tense minutes later as controllers awaited…


Compact Galaxy’s Discovery Shows Webb Telescope’s ‘Amazing’ Power

WASHINGTON—The detection of a highly compact galaxy that formed relatively soon after the Big Bang and displayed an impressive rate of star formation is the latest example of how the James Webb Space Telescope is reshaping our understanding of the early universe. Scientists said the galaxy, dating to 13.3 billion years ago, has a diameter…


Trial Date Set for EPA Fluoride Lawsuit

In a court hearing on Tuesday, the second trial date was set for Jan. 29, 2024, in the ongoing lawsuit (pdf) brought against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by the Fluoride Action Network (FAN) “to prohibit the addition of fluoridation chemicals to drinking water supplies.” The lawsuit that began six years ago has seen many delays and recently…


Long Awaited Trial Date Set for EPA Fluoride Lawsuit

In a court hearing on Tuesday, the second trial date was set for Jan. 29, 2024, in the ongoing lawsuit (pdf) brought against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by the Fluoride Action Network (FAN) “to prohibit the addition of fluoridation chemicals to drinking water supplies.” The lawsuit that began six years ago has seen many delays and recently…


‘Remember to Vaccinate’: Tetanus Shot Reminder After Recent Aussie Death

Following three recent tetanus cases including the first death in 30 years of an Australian woman, the government is urging people to be up to date with their tetanus vaccinations and alert them to the severity of the disease. Director of Communicable Diseases Christine Selvey said that the disease is particularly dangerous for the elderly….


Scientists Unveil New and Improved ‘Skinny Donut’ Black Hole Image

WASHINGTON—The 2019 release of the first image of a black hole was hailed as a significant scientific achievement. But truth be told, it was a bit blurry—or, as one astrophysicist involved in the effort called it, a “fuzzy orange donut.” Scientists on Thursday unveiled a new and improved image of this black hole—a behemoth at…


New Tech Transforms Sea Water Into Hydrogen Fuel for Cars

Researchers have come up with a new system that turns seawater into hydrogen fuel—a development that could aid in the proliferation of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The new method extracts hydrogen from the ocean by funneling seawater through a double membrane system, using electricity. The design was successful in generating hydrogen gas without the accompaniment…