Brain revived: Scientists froze brain tissue to −196°C and it started working again |

German researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg and University Hospital Erlangen have shown that adult mouse hippocampal tissue can be cryopreserved using vitrification, cooled to liquid nitrogen temperature, and later rewarmed with key functions intact. In the study, the tissue regained electrical activity and synaptic communication after thawing. The work marks an important step in cryobiology, but…

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NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope detects ‘little red dots’: New X-ray data hints at hidden supermassive black holes |

Something odd is hiding in the early universe, and astronomers are only just beginning to notice it. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, researchers have spotted faint, distant objects known as “little red dots” that do not quite behave like normal galaxies. At first, they seemed unremarkable. Easy to overlook in deep space images. But…

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Who is Charles Lieber? Convicted Harvard scientist now leading China’s research to link the brain with computers |

Charles Lieber is one of the best-known names in nanoscience, but his career took a dramatic turn after a federal conviction in the United States. Once a leading Harvard chemistry professor, Lieber was convicted in 2021 of making false statements to federal authorities and tax-related offences tied to payments from China. Today, he is back…

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Scientists discover this common garden flower could be a powerful protein source |

Scientists are now focusing on agricultural byproducts to address the global need for sustainable nutrition. An innovative study featured in ACS Publications reveals that pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) can serve as a robust and thermally stable protein source. Although people usually grow these plants for decoration and medicinal use, researchers found that marigold petals contain…

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In 2016, beachcombers’ discovery of unusual riverbank bones led to the uncovering of Australia’s giant megafauna |

A 2016 beach discovery of ancient megafauna fossils in Australia revealed a past inhabited by giant marsupials and flightless birds. These colossal creatures, including car-sized wombats and enormous kangaroos, roamed the ancient land of Sahul. Image Credits: Seasonal migration of marsupial megafauna in Pleistocene Sahul study/ Figure 1 A leisurely weekend spent by the seaside…

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The malaria map: How a 74,000-year war with a tiny parasite forced humanity to rearrange the world |

For over 70,000 years, the malaria parasite has profoundly shaped human migration and settlement patterns, forcing ancestors to abandon fertile but dangerous regions for higher, safer ground. Since time immemorial, the reasons for where we choose to live and our spread across the globe have been attributed to kings, conquerors, and the search for gold….

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In 2022, a scuba diver’s discovery of a carved log led to an ancient native American canoe |

An ancient dugout canoe, remarkably preserved for 1,200 years in Lake Mendota, Wisconsin, has been discovered. This invaluable artifact offers a tangible link to the Ho-Chunk Nation’s ancestors, showcasing their rich culture and connection to the lake. Image Credits: Google Gemini On occasions, the oldest stories on earth lie buried not too deep within our…

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