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    The Curious Case of the Warped Kuiper Belt

    June 23, 2017, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    1. A yet to be discovered, unseen "planetary mass object" makes its existence known by ruffling the orbital plane of distant Kuiper Belt objects, according to research by Kat Volk and Renu Malhotra of the UA's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. The object is pictured on a wide orbit far beyond Pluto in this artist's illustration. (Image: Heather Roper/LPL) 2. A planetary mass object the size of Mars would be sufficient to produce the observed perturbations in the distant Kuiper Belt. Credit: Heather Roper/LPL

    1. A yet to be discovered, unseen “planetary mass object” makes its existence known by ruffling the orbital plane of distant Kuiper Belt objects, according to research by Kat Volk and Renu Malhotra of the UA’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. The object is pictured on a wide orbit far beyond Pluto in this artist’s illustration. (Image: Heather Roper/LPL)
    2. A planetary mass object the size of Mars would be sufficient to produce the observed perturbations in the distant Kuiper Belt.
    Credit: Heather Roper/LPL

    An unknown, unseen “planetary mass object” may lurk in the outer reaches of our solar system, according to new research on the orbits of minor planets. This object would be different from – and much closer than – the so-called Planet Nine, a planet whose existence yet awaits confirmation...

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    Origins of Sun’s swirling Spicules discovered

    June 23, 2017, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    At any given moment, as many as 10 million wild jets of solar material burst from the sun's surface. They erupt as fast as 60 miles per second, and can reach lengths of 6,000 miles before collapsing. These are spicules, and despite their grass-like abundance, scientists didn't understand how they form. Now, for the first time, a computer simulation -- so detailed it took a full year to run -- shows how spicules form, helping scientists understand how spicules can break free of the sun's surface and surge upward so quickly. Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

    At any given moment, as many as 10 million wild jets of solar material burst from the sun’s surface. They erupt as fast as 60 miles per second, and can reach lengths of 6,000 miles before collapsing. These are spicules, and despite their grass-like abundance, scientists didn’t understand how they form. Now, for the first time, a computer simulation — so detailed it took a full year to run — shows how spicules form, helping scientists understand how spicules can break free of the sun’s surface and surge upward so quickly. Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

    For the first time, a computer simulation – so detailed it took a full year to run – shows how spicules form, helping scientists understand how spicules can break free of the sun’s surface and surge upward so quickly...

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    Study Suggests Memories that Trigger anxiety, PTSD could be ‘Erased’ without affecting normal memory of past events

    June 22, 2017, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Select memories can be erased, leaving others intact

    Two Aplysia sensory neurons with synaptic contacts on the same motor neuron in culture after isolation from the nervous system of Aplysia. The motor neuron has been injected with a fluorescent molecule that blocks the activity of a specific Protein Kinase M molecule. Credit: Schacher Lab/Columbia University Medical Center

    Different types of memories stored in the same neuron of the marine snail Aplysia can be selectively erased, according to a new study by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) and McGill University. The findings suggest that it may be possible to develop drugs to delete memories that trigger anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) without affecting other important memories of past events.
    During emotional or traumatic events, multiple memories ...

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    Rare Cells are ‘Window into the Gut’ for the Nervous System

    June 22, 2017, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Highlights •Enterochromaffin (EC) cells are excitable and express voltage-gated ion channels •EC cells use sensory receptors to detect irritants, metabolites, and catecholamines •EC cell activation leads to voltage-gated Ca2+ channel-dependent serotonin release •EC cells modulate sensory nerves via serotonin receptors and synaptic connections

    Highlights
    •Enterochromaffin (EC) cells are excitable and express voltage-gated ion channels
    •EC cells use sensory receptors to detect irritants, metabolites, and catecholamines
    •EC cell activation leads to voltage-gated Ca2+ channel-dependent serotonin release
    •EC cells modulate sensory nerves via serotonin receptors and synaptic connections

    Cells that alert nervous system to intestinal trouble could provide new target for gastrointestinal treatments. Specialized cells in the gut sense potentially noxious chemicals and trigger electrical impulses in nearby nerve fibers, according to a new study led by UC San Francisco scientists. “These cells are sensors, like a window looking into the contents of the gut,” said James Bayrer, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of pediatrics at UCSF.

    Usin...

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