These images show temperature maps as simulated by MAGHNUM as a result of mud convection, in a medium sized asteroid (above) and a large asteroid (below). Temperatures are shown in degrees Celcius. Credit: Planetary Science Institute

Scientists have long held the belief that planets – including Earth – were built from rocky asteroids, but new research challenges that view. The research suggests that many of the original planetary building blocks in our solar system may actually have started life, not as rocky asteroids, but as gigantic balls of warm mud. Phil Bland, Curtin University planetary scientist, undertook the research to try and get a better insight into how smaller planets, the precursors to the larger terrestrial planets we know today, may have come about.

Planetary Science...

DDK3 could ultimately be used to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

DDK3 could be used as a new therapy to stop the build-up of fatty material inside the arteries. A naturally occurring protein, dickkopf-related protein 3 (DKK3), could hold the key to protecting against heart attacks and strokes caused by atherosclerosis, according to new research by King’s College London researchers. The study suggests that the protein could ultimately be used to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Scientists measured the level of DKK3 in blood samples collected from 574 people over 5 years. They found that those people with higher levels of DKK3 were less likely to develop atherosclerosis over the course of the 5 year period and were also less likely to die from a heart attack or stroke...

When fed 3-D models of household items in bird’s-eye view (left), a new algorithm is able to guess what the objects are, and what their overall 3-D shapes should be. This image shows the guess in the center, and the actual 3-D model on the right. Credit: Courtesy of Ben Burchfiel

Robots need to guess what they’re seeing better, even when parts are hidden from view. Autonomous robots can inspect nuclear power plants, clean up oil spills in the ocean, accompany fighter planes into combat and explore the surface of Mars. Yet for all their talents, robots still can’t make a cup of tea. That’s because tasks such as turning the stove on, fetching the kettle and finding the milk and sugar require perceptual abilities that, for most machines, are still a fantasy.

Among them is the ability to make ...