Science Archives - Page 8 of 9

These delicate wisps of gas make up an object known as SNR B0519-69.0, or SNR 0519 for short. The thin, blood-red shells are actually the remnants from when an unstable progenitor star exploded violently as a supernova around 600 years ago. There are several types of supernova, but for SNR 0519 the star that exploded is known to have been a white dwarf star — a Sun-like star in the final stages of its life. SNR 0519 is located over 150 000 light-years from Earth in the southern constellation of Dorado (The Dolphinfish), a constellation that also contains most of our neighbouring galaxy the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Because of this, this region of the sky is full of intriguing and beautiful deep sky objects. The LMC orbits the Milky Way galaxy as a satellite and is the fourth largest in our group of galaxies, the Local Group. SNR 0519 is not alone in the LMC; the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope also came across a similar bauble a few years ago in SNR B0509-67.5, a supernova of the same type as SNR 0519 with a strikingly similar appearance. A version of this image was submitted to the Hubble’s Hidden Treasures Image Processing Competition by Claude Cornen, and won sixth prize.

Supernova “Early-Warning System” Developed to Capture Dying Stars’ Explosions in Real-Time

Constellations, planets, and other celestial events aren’t the only exciting things happening in the world of astronomy this month. A new study is heralding an exciting development in space sciences: a method by which a supernova — the massive explosion marking a star’s death — can be observed as it transpires in real-time. Lead researcher […]

An elderly senior woman with a cup of coffee or tea sitting outdoors on a terrace on a sunny day in autumn, reading a book.

“SuperAgers” With Amazing Memory Retention May Have “Super Neurons,” Study Suggests

Though normal aging is associated with gradual memory loss, some sharp seniors can recollect events with startling clarity well into their sunset years. Northwestern University researchers have dubbed these people “SuperAgers” — individuals at least 80 years old with the memory retention of those up to three decades younger. A new study now suggests that […]

Scientist in a laboratory

New Study Creates First-Ever “Atlas” Describing Link Between Fungi and 35 Types of Cancer

In a first-of-its-kind “atlas,” researchers identified and described the links between 35 different types of cancer and their associated fungi. Though the findings, published in the science journal Cell last month, do not prove a cause-and-effect relationship between the two, they could help scientists discover more about the role fungal microorganisms play in the disease. […]

The Award-Winning Paper Microscope That Costs Less Than $2 to Produce

It’s difficult to determine the world’s most expensive microscope — one powerful electron microscope cost $27 million to get up and running back in 2009 — but it may be easier to call out the cheapest. The Foldscope is made of paper and costs $1.75 to produce. Don’t let the low price point fool you, […]

Was It Art or a Kid’s Toy? Ancient Artifacts Have Archeologists Raising Questions About Early Children’s Play

Archeologists are making headway in the study of ancient toys, a long overlooked focus in the field — one that has them asking deeper questions about children’s play in early civilizations. Archaeologists have long studied ancient artifacts, religious motifs, and burial grounds to better understand history, and have made immense progress in the last century […]

See the 2022 Astronomy Photographer of the Year Competition Winners: Photos

The universe is teeming with stunning wonders, most of which unfortunately cannot be seen in their full glory with the naked eye. Thankfully, though, we have astronomy photographers and their cameras to help us take it all in. The Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, hosted by the U.K.’s Royal Observatory Greenwich, showcases the best […]

NASA’s Perseverance Rover Unearths Organic Matter on Mars

NASA’s Perseverance rover landed on Mars on February 18, 2021 to collect and cache rock samples, with a stated mission of paving the way for human exploration on the red planet. Now, the device’s rock collection is halfway complete — and according to NASA scientists, it yields promising signs of ancient Martian life. The team leading the […]

Close-up of a loving mother kissing her adorable little baby boy cradled in her arms at home

How to Soothe a Crying Baby Back to Sleep, According to Research

Legions of sleepless new parents can attest to their willingness to try nearly every and any trick in the book when it comes to lulling a crying baby back to sleep. Talking soothingly to the infant, singing, bouncing, providing gentle back rubs, or even getting in the car in the middle of the night and […]

Scientists Map “Immortal” Jellyfish’s Full Genome — Moving Closer to Unraveling Mystery of Its Immortality

Humans have long hungered for the secret to eternal life on Earth — ancient practices like alchemy have made way for modern research on cellular rejuvenation and predictions of digital immortality. But for the species T. dohrnii, also known as the “immortal” jellyfish, turning back the clock on biology is just part of their genetic […]

NASA’s Artemis I Launch: Everything to Know About the Moon Mission

Go for liftoff: The historic Artemis I mission, the first step in humanity’s return to the moon, is set to take off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday, November 14. NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) — the most powerful rocket ever built — will send the spacecraft Orion on a 42-day journey […]

The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), founded and produced by Society for Science, is the world’s largest international high school science competition, providing an annual opportunity for nearly 2,000 students from all over the world to showcase their independent research and compete for approximately $5 million in prizes In 2019, Regeneron became the title sponsor of ISEF to help reward and celebrate the best and brightest young minds globally and encourage them to pursue careers in STEM as a way to positively impact the world. Alumni of Regeneron ISEF have gone on to have world-changing careers in science and engineering and earn some of the most esteemed honors, including National Medal of Science recipients, MacArthur Foundation Fellows, National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering Inductees and a range of entrepreneurs. Founded by the belief that advances in science are key to solving global challenges, Regeneron ISEF works to support and invest in young scientists who are generating ideas and acting as catalysts for the change needed to improve the well-being of all people and the planet. Society for Science and Regeneron engage young people as active change agents and support the hard work and cutting-edge discoveries of promising young leaders who are motivated by curiosity and inspired to improve the world with STEM. Regeneron ISEF reinforces this potential and invests in the best and brightest young minds by continuing to nurture all fields of scientific research to foster transformative innovations.

Meet the Teen Winner of the 2022 Largest Global HS Science and Engineering Fair

From a Florida farm to first place at the largest international high school science and engineering fair, meet the world’s most promising young engineer. Robert Sansone, 17, won the $75,000 top award at the 2022 Regeneron ISEF in May. For his submission, Sansone built a new type of motor to be used in electric cars. […]

Scientists May Have Found the Youngest-Known Planet

Astronomers have detected evidence of what appears to be one of the youngest-known planets in the universe. In the journal The Astrophysical Journal Letters, scientists detailed the first-ever detection of gas in a circumplanetary disk, suggesting the presence of a Jupiter-sized exoplanet in the constellation Ophiuchus, 395 light-years away from Earth. This newborn planet is […]