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    Shocking case of Indigestion in Supermassive Black Hole

    July 4, 2017, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    Left: Image of the Whirlpool galaxy and NGC 5195. Credit: Jon Christensen. Right: False colour image of NGC 5195 created by combining the VLA 20 cm radio image (red), the Chandra X-ray image (green), and the Hubble Space telescope H-alpha image (blue). The image shows the X-ray and H-alpha arcs, as well as the radio outflows from the supermassive black hole at the centre of NGC 5195. Credits: NRAO / AUI / NSF / NASA / CXC / NASA / ESA / STScI / U. Manchester / Rampadarath et al. Right inset: e-MERLIN maps of the nuclear region of NGC 5195 at 1.4 GHz (left) and 5 GHz (right). The images display a partially resolved source with possible parsec-scale outflows. Credit: e-MERLIN / U. Manchester / Rampadarath et al. Click for a larger image

    Left: Image of the Whirlpool galaxy and NGC 5195. Credit: Jon Christensen. Right: False colour image of NGC 5195 created by combining the VLA 20 cm radio image (red), the Chandra X-ray image (green), and the Hubble Space telescope H-alpha image (blue). The image shows the X-ray and H-alpha arcs, as well as the radio outflows from the supermassive black hole at the centre of NGC 5195. Credits: NRAO / AUI / NSF / NASA / CXC / NASA / ESA / STScI / U. Manchester / Rampadarath et al. Right inset: e-MERLIN maps of the nuclear region of NGC 5195 at 1.4 GHz (left) and 5 GHz (right). The images display a partially resolved source with possible parsec-scale outflows. Credit: e-MERLIN / U. Manchester / Rampadarath et al. Click for a larger image

    A multi-wavelength study of a pair of colliding galaxie...

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    Protecting Astronauts from Radiation in Space

    July 4, 2017, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics, Astronomy/Space

    The sample here contains hundreds of thousands of nanoparticles that manipulate the incoming light. Credit: Stuart Hay, ANYWAY

    The sample here contains hundreds of thousands of nanoparticles that manipulate the incoming light. Credit: Stuart Hay, ANUy

    Scientists at The Australian National University (ANU) have designed a new nano material that can reflect or transmit light on demand with temperature control, opening the door to technology that protects astronauts in space from harmful radiation. Dr Mohsen Rahmani from ANU said the material was so thin that hundreds of layers could fit on the tip of a needle and could be applied to any surface, including spacesuits.

    “Our invention has a lot of potential applications, such as protecting astronauts or satellites with an ultra-thin film that can be adjusted to reflect various dangerous ultraviolet or infrared radiation in different environments,” said Dr Rahmani, an A...

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    Altering Gut Bacteria Pathways may Stimulate Fat Tissue to Prevent Obesity

    July 3, 2017, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Highlights •Plasma TMAO levels are elevated in type 2 diabetic patients •Levels of the TMAO-producing enzyme FMO3 in adipose tissue correlate with obesity •Pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of Fmo3 stimulates white adipose tissue beiging •Inhibition of Fmo3 promotes resistance to obesity

    Highlights
    •Plasma TMAO levels are elevated in type 2 diabetic patients
    •Levels of the TMAO-producing enzyme FMO3 in adipose tissue correlate with obesity
    •Pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of Fmo3 stimulates white adipose tissue beiging
    •Inhibition of Fmo3 promotes resistance to obesity

    Cleveland Clinic researchers showed that blocking a specific intestinal microbial pathway can prevent obesity and insulin resistance, as well as cause fat tissue to become more metabolically active. The team, led by J. Mark Brown, Ph.D...

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    Quantum Probes dramatically improve Detection of Nuclear Spins

    July 3, 2017, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics

    A nitrogen-vacancy (dark blue) quantum probe in diamond (light grey) performing nanoscale nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) on molecular hydrogen sitting on the diamond's surface. A green laser controls the quantum state of the probe, which is tuned to the resonant frequency of target nuclear spins. The probe responds to the nuclear spins of the hydrogen atoms and provides a direct measurement via the red light emitted. Credit: David A. Broadway/cqc2t.org

    A nitrogen-vacancy (dark blue) quantum probe in diamond (light grey) performing nanoscale nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) on molecular hydrogen sitting on the diamond’s surface. A green laser controls the quantum state of the probe, which is tuned to the resonant frequency of target nuclear spins. The probe responds to the nuclear spins of the hydrogen atoms and provides a direct measurement via the red light emitted. Credit: David A. Broadway/cqc2t.org

    Limitations of conventional NMR spectroscopy overcome. Researchers at the University of Melbourne have demonstrated a way to detect nuclear spins in molecules non-invasively, providing a new tool for biotechnology and materials science...

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