Tag: Science News

Scientists Find Age-Related Vision Impairment Not Indicative of Cognitive Impairment

A study conducted by the University of South Australia has gone against the common literature relating poor eyesight to brain decline, finding that cognitive tests can misdiagnose older people with age-related vision decline with cognitive decline by up to 25 percent. “A mistaken score in cognitive tests could have devastating ramifications, leading to unnecessary changes…


Space Telescope in Home Stretch of Tests, Early Pics Impress

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.—NASA’s new space telescope is in the home stretch of testing, with science observations expected to begin in July, astronomers said Monday. The James Webb Space Telescope beamed back the latest test pictures of a neighboring satellite galaxy, and the results are stunning when compared with images taken by NASA’s previous infrared observatory,…


Good Neighbors Found to Be Important for Good Mental Health

Researchers from Australia have discovered through a nationally-representative survey that living in community-minded neighbourhoods can have a major impact on a person’s mental health. A survey undertaken by Australian National University (ANU) which monitored over 3000 people during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, showed that the social relationships provided within good neighbourhoods protect residents against anxiety,…


Marine Microbes Could Deliver Sustainable Nutrients for Supplements and Animal-Free Meat

South Australia’s pristine coastal waters are home to a fungus-like microbe that may be a key future ingredient in nutritional supplements, animal-free meat, medicines, and biofuels, researchers at Flinders University in South Australia have found. Medical biotechnology researcher at Flinders University’s College of Medicine and Public Health, Associate Professor Munish Puri, said in a release…


SpaceX Brings 4 Astronauts Back to Earth After 6-Month Stint on International Space Station

A four-member team of astronauts launched to the International Space Station by SpaceX touched back down on Earth in the Gulf of Mexico on May 6. The return via a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule came just one day after the group undocked from the space station following a six-month mission in which they conducted science experiments and did…


To Refine Water Forecasts, Western Cities Map Snow by Plane

GUNNISON, Colo.—At a tiny airport surrounded by mountains, a three-person crew takes off for the inaugural flight above the headwaters of the Colorado River to measure the region’s snow by air. Under the plane is a device that uses lasers, cameras, and sensors to map snow and help drought-prone communities improve forecasts of how much…


Texas Scientists Create Plastic-Eating Enzyme That Could Help Clean up Landfills

An enzyme that can chemically break down bottles and packaging that typically take centuries to degrade may be able to clean up billions of tons of plastic at landfills and other polluted sites, according to researchers at the University of Texas. Engineers and scientists at the university’s Cockrell School of Engineering and College of Natural Sciences created the…


New Species of Dung Beetle to Roll Into Australia

A new dung beetle has been introduced into Australia as part of the Dung Beetle Ecosystem Engineer (DBEE) project to control cattle dung for grazing areas in South Australia (SA). The Gymnopleurus sturmi dung beetle, native to Morrocco, lives in a habitat and climate similar to that of SA’s during its late winter to spring…


Hydroponic Australian Native Plants Found to Pull ‘Indestructible’ Chemical Contaminants From Water

Research led by the University of South Australia (UniSA) has found that the “indestructible” per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may actually be removed from water by native hydroponic plants and may serve as a strategy to remediate PFAS water. “PFASs are often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ because they don’t break down, instead of accumulating in…


New Zealand Rocket Caught but Then Dropped by Helicopter

WELLINGTON, New Zealand—Using a helicopter to catch a falling rocket is such a complex task that Peter Beck likens it to a “supersonic ballet.” Rocket Lab, the company that Beck founded, partially pulled off the feat Tuesday as it pushes to make its small Electron rockets reusable. But after briefly catching the spent rocket, a…