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    Proton-Nuclei Smashups yield clues about ‘Quark Gluon Plasma’

    April 11, 2017, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics

    A visual of data collected by the Compact Muon Solenoid detector during a proton-lead collision at the Large Hadron Collider in 2016. Credit: Image courtesy of Thomas McCauley/CERN

    A visual of data collected by the Compact Muon Solenoid detector during a proton-lead collision at the Large Hadron Collider in 2016. Credit: Image courtesy of Thomas McCauley/CERN

    Physicists probe exotic state of nuclear matter at Europe’s LHC. Findings from Rice University physicists working at Europe’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are providing new insight about an exotic state of matter, “quark-gluon plasma” that occurs when protons and neutrons melt. LHC is able to smash together the nuclei of atoms at nearly the speed of the light. The energy released in these collisions is vast and allows physicists to recreate the hot, dense conditions that existed in the early universe...

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    NASA’s MAVEN reveals Mars has Metal in its atmosphere

    April 11, 2017, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    Illustration of MAVEN spacecraft at Mars. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

    Illustration of MAVEN spacecraft at Mars. Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

    Mars has metal ions high in its atmosphere, according to new results from NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft. The metal ions can reveal previously invisible activity in the mysterious electrically charged upper atmosphere (ionosphere) of Mars. “MAVEN has made the first direct detection of the permanent presence of metal ions in the ionosphere of a planet other than Earth,” said Joseph Grebowsky of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. “Because metallic ions have long lifetimes and are transported far from their region of origin by neutral winds and electric fields, they can be used to infer motion in the ionosphere, similar to the way we use a lofted leaf to reveal which way the wind is blowing.”

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    Hubble Spots Auroras on Uranus

    April 11, 2017, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    This is a composite image of Uranus by Voyager 2 and two different observations made by Hubble -- one for the ring and one for the auroras. Astronomers tracked the interplanetary shocks caused by two powerful bursts of solar wind traveling from the sun to Uranus, then used Hubble to capture their effect on Uranus' auroras -- and found themselves observing the most intense auroras ever seen on the planet. By watching the auroras over time, they collected the first direct evidence that these powerful shimmering regions rotate with the planet. They also re-discovered Uranus' long-lost magnetic poles, which were lost shortly after their discovery by Voyager 2 in 1986 due to uncertainties in measurements and the featureless planet surface. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, L. Lamy / Observatoire de Paris

    This is a composite image of Uranus by Voyager 2 and two different observations made by Hubble — one for the ring and one for the auroras. Astronomers tracked the interplanetary shocks caused by two powerful bursts of solar wind traveling from the sun to Uranus, then used Hubble to capture their effect on Uranus’ auroras — and found themselves observing the most intense auroras ever seen on the planet. By watching the auroras over time, they collected the first direct evidence that these powerful shimmering regions rotate with the planet. They also re-discovered Uranus’ long-lost magnetic poles, which were lost shortly after their discovery by Voyager 2 in 1986 due to uncertainties in measurements and the featureless planet surface. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, L...

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    The Role of a Telomere Capping Complex in Cancer revealed

    April 10, 2017, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    X-ray crystal structure of the human POT1-TPP1 telomere maintenance complex. POT1 is shown in salmon and TPP1 in lime color. Credit: The Wistar Institute

    X-ray crystal structure of the human POT1-TPP1 telomere maintenance complex. POT1 is shown in salmon and TPP1 in lime color. Credit: The Wistar Institute

    Scientists at The Wistar Institute have unveiled part of the protein complex that protects telomeres – the ends of our chromosomes. The study explains how a group of genetic mutations associated with this protein complex contributes to various cancers. Telomeres are the protective structures at the end of chromosomes and are essential for the faithful replication and protection of our genome. Defects in telomere function can lead to genomic instability in cancer, while the gradual shortening of telomeres is associated with the aging of human cells...

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