Astronomers studying a nearby galaxy have spied a rare type of star system -- one that contains a black hole that suddenly began glowing brightly with X-rays. Though this type of star system is supposed to be rare, it's the second such system discovered in that galaxy, called Centaurus A. The discovery suggests that astronomers have more to learn about the lives and deaths of massive stars in galaxies such as our own.
Hubble has revealed that mysterious "blue blobs"in a structure called Arp's Loop between M81 and M82 are blue clusters of stars less than 200 million years old with many stars as young as, and even younger than, 10 million years.
Loss of a small portion of chromosome 16, known as 16p11.2, is significantly associated with autism researchers report in the journal Human Molecular Genetics. Although this genetic microdeletion occurred in only 4 out of 712 subjects with autism (0.6 percent), it is the second most common recurrent genomic disorder associated with autism, which affects about 1 out of 160 children in the United States.
If you wonder where you stand in the social pecking order at work, home and in the community, a little known group of primates found only in the highlands of Ethiopia may offer some clues. Psychology and anthropology researchers have spent more than a decade studying the social skills of non-human primates, focusing their attention on behavioral stress, aggression, social status and mate choice.
Researchers have discovered that proteins that regulate the body's iron household play a vital role in making sure enough nutrients and water are absorbed in the intestine. Mice lacking these proteins suffer from weight loss and dehydration, the scientists report in Cell Metabolism.
New polymerization technology may one day take the pain out of injections and blood draws. Researchers have recently used two-photon polymerization to create hollow needles so fine patients wouldn?t feel them piercing their skin. Clustered together on a patch, these microneedles can deliver drugs or draw blood as efficiently as standard hypodermic needles.
US Food and Drug Administration warnings regarding the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and adolescents taking antidepressants appear to have had modest and targeted effects on the intended populations, according to a new report.
Fungi don't exactly come in boy and girl varieties, but they do have sex differences. In fact, a new finding shows that some of the earliest evolved forms of fungus contain clues to how the sexes evolved in higher animals, including that distant cousin of fungus, the human.
Researchers have coaxed liver and pancreatic cells within diabetic mice into churning out insulin by injecting the animals with a naturally occurring protein called Pdx1, opening up a new research avenue that someday could lead to safer treatments for type 1 diabetes. Pdx1 activates the genes controlling the development of the pancreas cells that make and release insulin to maintain safe levels of glucose in the body.
A physiological basis for the effect on male sexual behavior of chronic alcohol exposure has been demonstrated in an animal model for the first time. The research, which produced four novel findings with broad importance for addiction research, is the first on chronic alcohol exposure in fruit flies. Among the discoveries is that male fruit flies, which typically court females, also actively court males when they are given a daily dose of ethanol.
A new Mayo Clinic study suggests that removing the entire kidney from younger patients with small kidney tumors may lead to decreased overall survival compared with an operation that removes the tumor but leaves the kidney intact.
Researchers are developing new technology that could replace the household light-bulb within three years. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), already used in electrical equipment such as computers and mobile phones, are several times more energy efficient than standard light-bulbs. However, because of their structure and material, much of the light in standard LEDs becomes trapped, reducing the brightness of the light and making them unsuitable as the main lighting source in the home.
Characterized by a heart-tugging plot, emotional melodrama fosters deep emotional reactions on the part of the consumer. Often labeled "chick-flicks,""tearjerkers,"or "human interest stories,"the genre has received scant academic attention. New research finds a significant difference between how men and women view stories about protagonists who overcome challenges through sacrifice and bravery. While women prefer stories that seem to be true, men enjoyed stories more when they were specifically told that they are fictionalized.
Proton-powered pooping works for a tiny round worm. Muscles usually contract when a neurotransmitter molecule is released from nerve cells onto muscle cells. But scientists have now discovered that bare subatomic protons can act like larger, more complex neurotransmitters, making gut muscles contract in tiny round worms so the worms can poop.
