The pulse of the Dead Sea

Researchers have for the first time demonstrated a direct link between the decrease in the Dead Sea's water table, evaporation and land subsidence.

12h

How relaxing COVID-19 restrictions could pave the way for vaccine resistance

A new article outlines how relaxing Covid-19 restrictions could pave the way for new vaccine-resistant virus mutations. It describes how we are in an 'arms race' with the virus and how rising cases could provide opportunities for it to evolve into even more transmissible variants. The researchers say that any new variants could be more virulent, more...

13h

To de-ice planes on the fly, researchers aim to control rather than combat ice formation

How do you control ice formation on a plane, even when it's in flight? Engineers are developing an approach using ice itself. They created a de-icing method that exploits how frost grows on pillar structures to suspend ice as it forms into a layer that's easier to remove.

13h

Differences in financial risk preferences can make or break a marriage

While it is well known that fighting over money can lead couples to divorce court, new research finds that differences in risk preferences, especially when it comes to financial matters, are likely a root cause of marital separation.

13h

More than just walking: A new role for core brain region

For decades, a key brain area has been thought to merely regulate locomotion. Now, a research group has shown that the region is involved in much more than walking, as it contains distinct populations of neurons that control different body movements. The findings could help to improve certain therapies for Parkinson's disease.

13h

A naturally inspired, reusable system that purifies water and builds itself

In nature, the interaction of molecules at the boundary of different liquids can give rise to new structures. These self-assembling molecules make cell formation possible and are instrumental to the development of all life on Earth. They can also be engineered to perform specific functions -- and now, a team of researchers has leveraged this opportunity...

13h

Study shows why beer mats do not fly in a straight line

Anyone who has ever failed to throw a beer mat into a hat should take note: physicists have discovered why this task is so difficult. However, their study also suggests how to significantly increase accuracy and range.

14h

Fruit fly offers lessons in good taste

The fruit fly has multiple taste organs throughout its body to detect chemicals, called tastants, that signal whether a food is palatable or harmful. It is still unclear, however, how individual neurons in each taste organ act to control feeding. To explore this question, a team used the fly pharynx as a model to study whether taste information regulates...

14h

Selenium may support deep microbial life in Earth's continental crust

International drilling efforts over the last decades into the seafloor have provided increasing evidence for the existence of an extensive deep biosphere below the seafloor. There, circulating fluids in the sub-seafloor deliver chemical compounds from which energy is produced to fuel microbial life in such deep ecosystems. Our understanding of the role...

14h

Body size, digestive systems shape ungulate foraging

Smaller-bodied ruminants forage primarily for the highest energy intake, while equids -- which tend to be larger -- choose to forage in areas close to surface water, with less attention to forage condition.

15h