The Kepler spacecraft has been prolific in its search for exoplanets, discovering thousands since its launch in 2009. But the hunt for moons orbiting these exoplanets, or exomoons, is vastly more challenging. While no exomoons have been found to date, a new study shows that the search is not futile. Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that it is possible for a planetary collision to form a moon large enough for Kepler to detect. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory physicist Megan Bruk Syal and Amy Barr of the Planetary Science Institute conducted 30 simulations to explore how various factors affect moon creation...

Micrograph showing emphysema (left – large empty spaces) and lung tissue with relative preservation of the alveoli (right). Credit: Wikipedia

New research suggests that FPS-ZM1, an antagonist chemical compound that fights RAGE (the receptor for advanced glycation end-products), may treat COPD. In mice it was found this compound reverses the inflammatory response and has a protective role in COPD. “RAGE disturbances in pulmonary disorders are precise and effective strategies with beneficial clinical effects,” said Se-Ran Yang, D.V.M., Ph.D. Kangwon National University, Korea.

In their study, Yang and colleagues investigated the efficacy of RAGE-specific antagonist FPS-ZM1 administration in both in vivo and in vitro COPD models to determine the molecular mechanism by which RAGE influences ...

Ovarian cancer cells under nano-focus (2 micron scale), showing FY26, zinc and calcium.
Credit: University of Warwick

Researchers have witnessed – for the first time – cancer cells being targeted and destroyed from the inside, by an organo-metal compound discovered by the University of Warwick. Professor Peter J. Sadler, and his group in the Department of Chemistry, have demonstrated that Organo-Osmium FY26 kills cancer cells by locating and attacking their weakest part. This is the first time that an Osmium-based compound – which is 50X more active than the current cancer drug cisplatin – has been seen to target the disease...

Illustration of a broadband terahertz amplifier based on a quantum cascade laser. It allows for an amplifier range of more than 1 THz and the generation of ultrashort light pulses with record pulse widths of 3 ps. Credit: Image courtesy of Vienna University of Technology, TU Vienna

A group from TU Wien and ETH Zurich have succeeded in their attempts to generate ultrashort terahertz light pulses. With lengths of just a few picoseconds, these pulses are ideally suited to spectroscopic applications and enable extremely precise frequency measurements to be taken. The unique properties of terahertz radiation mean it is of interest for a wide range of potential applications, including non-invasive medical imaging and the detection of hazardous substances...