Self-Cleaning Cotton

Scientists have developed a self-cleaning cotton fabric bonded with 2-anthraquinone carboxylic acid (2-AQC) that kills bacteria and breaks down toxic compounds when exposed to light.

Electronic Brain in Rat

Researchers have successfully implanted an electronic device in the cerebellum of a rat with brain damage that allows it to function normally, detecting sensory information from the body, interpreting it and communicating that information directly to the brain stem.

Stronger Immunity in Women

A new study of the X chromosome shows it contains up to 10% of all microRNA yet known of the human genome, which have important functions in immunity and cancer and may explain why women (XX) generally have stronger immunity and disease resistance than men (XY).

Colors of Fossil Beetles

A new study of ancient beetles shows how their original colors are altered over time and with the chemistry and preservation of fossilization, as colors experience a subtle "redshift" from violet to blue to green.

Frankenstein's "Shining Moon"

An astronomer's calculations have confirmed Mary Shelley's account of her historical inspiration for writing the gothic horror novel Frankenstein, that of a "bright and shining moon" over Lake Geneva during a "waking dream" in June 1816.

"Antimagnet" Developed

Researchers have developed an "antimagnet" that is effectively invisible to magnetic fields and even shields magnetic items within from superconducting and newly developed metamaterials, with potential applications in both security and medical technology.

Aboriginal Australian Genome

Scientists have used a lock of hair from an Aboriginal man of the early 20th century to isolate DNA for a sample with no European or Western contribution, and have subsequently sequenced and demonstrated that the original Australians descended from Asian populations about 50,000 years ago.

Greater Civil War Losses

Calculations based on recent data sets of census and population data comparing the decades before and after the American Civil War reveal that the number of casualties was greatly underreported, with actual totals ranging from 650,000 to 850,000 instead of the historically accepted 620,000.

Proton-Based Transistor

Scientists have developed a proton-based transistor using the organic compound chitosan that could potentially communicate electronic signals via ion exchange with living tissue, providing a direct interface with implications for biological sensing or prosthetics.

New Fossil Raptor Species

A fossil from the Late Cretaceous period discovered in southern Utah in 2008 has become the first new troodontid raptor species (Talos sampsoni) discovered in North American in more than 75 years.

Yawning Cools the Brain

A new study shows that yawning varies with season and ambient temperature, suggesting that regulating brain temperature may be one of the purposes of this poorly understood phenomenon.

"Missing Heat" in Oceans

New computer simulations have indicated that the "missing heat" expected by some climate models that has not been detected even with rising greenhouse gas emissions has actually been absorbed into the oceans, accumulating at depths of 1000 feet or more.

New Frog Species

A team of Indian researchers has discovered 12 frog species new to science as well as three more species thought to be extinct, all within the national borders of India.

New Dolphin Species

Confirmed by DNA analysis, a new species of dolphin (the Burrunan dolphin) has been discovered living in the coastal waters off the urban areas of Melbourne, Australia.