Science News related to Auroras, New Drug-Formulation, Structural Mystery of Glass, Earth’s Meteorite Impacts, Black Hole Detectors, New Exoplanet, Nanoparticle Platform – Gene Therapy, CRISPR Gene Editing
Note: I do not write/own any of the science news bits (and cover picture) given here. The links on each of the news bits will redirect to the news source. Content given under each headline is a basic gist and not the full story.
1. Physicists Determine How Auroras Are Created
Source: University of Iowa
7 Jun 2021
In a new study, a team of physicists reports definitive evidence that the most brilliant auroras are produced by powerful electromagnetic waves during geomagnetic storms. The phenomena, known as Alfven waves, accelerate electrons toward Earth, causing the particles to produce the familiar atmospheric light show.
Original written by: Richard C. Lewis
2. New Drug-Formulation Method May Lead to Smaller Pills
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
7 Jun 2021
A team of chemical engineers has now devised a simpler process for incorporating hydrophobic drugs into tablets or other drug formulations such as capsules and thin films. Their technique, which involves creating an emulsion of the drug and then crystallizing it, allows for a more powerful dose to be loaded per tablet.
Original written by: Anne Trafton
3. Scientists Make a Breakthrough Towards Solving the Structural Mystery of Glass
Source: City University of Hong Kong
7 Jun 2021
Glass is one of the most common subjects we see every day, but the detailed structure of this non-metallic and non-liquid material has always been a major mystery in science. A research team has successfully discovered that the amorphous and crystalline metallic glass have the same structural building blocks. And it is the connectivity between these blocks that distinguishes the crystalline and amorphous states of the material. The findings shed light on the understanding of glass structure.
4. Earth’s Meteorite Impacts Over Past 500 Million Years Tracked
Source: Lund University
8 Jun 2021
For the first time, a unique study has tracked the meteorite flux to Earth over the past 500 million years. Contrary to current theories, researchers have determined that major collisions in the asteroid belt have not generally affected the number of impacts with Earth to any great extent.
5. From Burglar Alarms to Black Hole Detectors
Source: University of Groningen
8 Jun 2021
Last year, a physicist proposed an experiment with his colleagues that could conclusively prove whether gravity is a quantum phenomenon. This experiment would focus on observing two relatively large, entangled quantum systems in free fall. In a new article, the scientists describe in more detail how two types of noise could be reduced. They suggest that quantum interference could be applied in the production of a sensitive instrument that could detect movements of objects ranging from butterflies to burglars and black holes.
6. Scientists Discover New Exoplanet with An Atmosphere Ripe for Study
Source: University of New Mexico
9 Jun 2021
An international group has discovered a new, temperate sub-Neptune sized exoplanet with a 24-day orbital period orbiting a nearby M dwarf star. The recent discovery offers exciting research opportunities thanks to the planet’s substantial atmosphere, small star, and how fast the system is moving away from the Earth.
Original written by: Steve Carr
7. New Adaptable Nanoparticle Platform Enables Enhanced Delivery of Gene Therapies
Source: RCSI
9 Jun 2021
Scientists have developed polypeptide-based materials that act as effective vectors for delivering gene therapies. The first-of-its-kind platform enables the vectors to be adapted to suit the specific gene therapy cargo.
8. Researchers’ Algorithm to Make CRISPR Gene Editing More Precise
Source: University of Copenhagen – The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
10 Jun 2021
Researchers have developed a new method, which makes CRISPR gene editing more precise than conventional methods. The method selects the molecules best suited for helping the CRISPR-Cas9 protein with high-precision editing at the correct location in our DNA, the researchers explain.
That’s all the science news for this week! Maybe you can help me provide news better. Leave a comment below if you have any suggestions or send me a message via the contact form! Have fun!
