Science Tech Updates

Young Bone Marrow Rejuvenates Aging Mouse Brains

February 24, 2019, Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

Microglia in brains of old mice have larger cell bodies with fewer and shorter branches than those in young mice. But microglia of old mice who received bone marrow transplants (BMT) from young mice resembled those of young mice; transplants from older mice didn’t have that effect. Microglia play an important role in brain health.
*Credit: Cedars-Sinai / Communications Biology*

Transplanting marrow from young lab mice to old mice preserves memory and learning skills. The findings support an emerging model that attributes cognitive decline, in part, to aging of blood cells, which are produced in bone marrow.

“While prior studies have shown that introducing blood from young mice can reverse cognitive decline in old mice, it is not well understood how this happens,” said Helen Goodridge, Ph...

Citizen scientist finds ancient White Dwarf star encircled by Puzzling Rings

February 24, 2019, Astronomy/Space

illustration of white dwarf LSPM J0207+3331 — In this illustration, an asteroid (bottom left) breaks apart under the powerful gravity of LSPM J0207+3331, the oldest, coldest white dwarf known to be surrounded by a ring of dusty debris. Scientists think the system’s infrared signal is best explained by two distinct rings composed of dust supplied by crumbling asteroids.
Credits: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Scott Wiessinger

A volunteer working with the NASA-led Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 project has found the oldest and coldest known white dwarf – an Earth-sized remnant of a Sun-like star that has died – ringed by dust and debris. Astronomers suspect this could be the first known white dwarf with multiple dust rings.

The star, LSPM J0207+3331 or J0207 for short, is forcing researchers to reconsider models of planetary syst...

Researchers Engineer a Tougher Fiber

February 24, 2019, Physics, Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

NC State University researchers created fibers consisting of a gallium metal core surrounded by an elastic polymer sheath. When placed under stress, the fiber has the strength of the metal core. But when the metal breaks, the fiber doesn’t fail – the polymer sheath absorbs the strain between the breaks in the metal and transfers the stress back to the metal core.
*Credit: Michael Dickey, NC State University*

North Carolina State University researchers have developed a fiber that combines the elasticity of rubber with the strength of a metal, resulting in a tougher material that could be incorporated into soft robotics, packaging materials or next-generation textiles.

“A good way of explaining the material is to think of rubber bands and metal wires,” says Michael Dickey, correspondin...