Science

Science

New atlas of brain cells offers insight on disorders like autism and ADHD

5:21pm October 12, 2023

by Jon Hamilton

An NIH-led effort to create an atlas of human brain cells has identified more than 3,000 types of cells. The finding will help researchers understand disorders like autism, ADHD, and schizophrenia.

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AI similar to the kind used to make images is now being used to design synthetic proteins. Scientists say its radically sped up their research.

New proteins, better batteries: Scientists are using AI to speed up discoveries

11:28am October 12, 2023

by Geoff Brumfiel

New artificial intelligence tools are being rapidly developed across the sciences. They may not be able to solve every problem, but in some cases, they're shortening the time to new breakthroughs.

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Morning news brief

5:08am October 12, 2023

Days into the Israel-Hamas war, Gaza is in a deep humanitarian crisis. Republicans chose Majority Leader Steve Scalise to be their nominee for House speaker. Scientists use AI to speed up discoveries.

Farmer Rob Stone (R) and Gregory Gingera, a canola breeder at Corteva Agriscience, walk through Stone's field in Davidson, Saskatchewan, Canada in May. Canadian farmers are looking for ways to deal with recurrent drought, including planting earlier and using seeds that are more resistant to heat.

Climate rules are coming for corporate America

5:01am October 12, 2023

by Michael Copley

U.S. regulators are finalizing rules that will make publicly traded companies disclose information about climate change. Other jurisdictions have been announcing similar requirements.

Small rocks and dust from an asteroid, outside a round sample collection device in a NASA lab.

Science

Take a peek at what NASA brought back from an asteroid

5:00am October 12, 2023

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Scientists are thrilled with the tiny asphalt-black rocks, and most of the sample hasn't even been revealed yet.

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NASA unveils rocks brought back from an asteroid

8:36pm October 11, 2023

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

NASA held a briefing to reveal the rocks returned by the OSIRIS-REx asteroid mission. The asteroid material was delivered to Earth in late September in a space capsule that landed in Utah.

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Science

Next time you flip a coin you might want to pick the side that's already facing up

5:58am October 11, 2023

Researchers find flipped coins have what's called same side bias. They flipped coins in 46 currencies 350,000 times, and registered that 51% of the time the coins landed on the side they started on.

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An artist's conception of the Psyche spacecraft approaching an asteroid that's largely composed of metal.

Science

This next NASA mission to an asteroid is seriously metal

5:22am October 11, 2023

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

A NASA mission called Psyche is about to launch on a mission out to an unusual asteroid that's scientists believe is largely composed of metal.

Pez candy is on display at a store in Lafayette, Calif., on March 24. The candy contains red dye 3, a food additive that will be banned in California starting in 2027.

California becomes the first state to ban 4 food additives linked to disease

5:35pm October 10, 2023

by Joe Hernandez

Brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben and red dye 3, which can be found in candy, cookies and more, will be banned starting in 2027 due to links to cancer other health effects.

Students help instructional coach Regina Green caramelize onions for a dish featuring fresh greens from the school garden at Watkins Elementary.

Can cooking and gardening at school inspire better nutrition? Ask these kids

5:06am October 09, 2023

by Allison Aubrey

With diet-related disease on the rise in the U.S., some schools are adding nutrition to the curriculum. Teaching kids to grow and cook fresh produce can influence life-long eating habits.