Science Archives - Page 104 of 284 - Scitke

How a Routine Prenatal Test Can Detect Hidden Maternal Cancer

A DNA test designed to screen for fetal abnormalities can sometimes uncover unexpected findings, including hidden cancer in the pregnant individual. A recent analysis revealed that cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening, commonly used to detect chromosomal disorders, has the potential to identify undiagnosed cancers. Among patients whose cfDNA test results were ambiguous, nearly half were found […]

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This Key Blood Measurement Could Signal Your Future Disease Risk

Healthcare, Medicine / Mauro Lucas

If you’ve ever had a blood test ordered by a doctor, chances are it included a complete blood count (CBC). As one of the most common medical tests worldwide, CBCs are performed billions of times each year to diagnose conditions and monitor overall health. Despite their widespread use, the way clinicians interpret CBC results can

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Study Suggests the Sun May Be Due for a Powerful Superflare

Astronomy, Planetary Science / Mauro Lucas

The Sun is far from tranquil. Its surface churns with convection, its magnetic field continuously snaps and reconnects, and it releases energy through violent flares and plasma bursts known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Most solar activity poses little threat to Earth, but occasionally, the Sun erupts with a flare so powerful it can cause

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Astrophysicists Capture Gamma-Ray Flare Visuals from M87’s Supermassive Black Hole

Astronomy, Astrophysics / Mauro Lucas

In 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) unveiled the first image of a black hole, showcasing the supermassive black hole at the center of galaxy M87. Now, this cosmic giant is surprising scientists with an intense teraelectronvolt gamma-ray flare, the strongest observed in over a decade. Emitting photons billions of times more energetic than visible

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Researchers Uncover Genetic Changes Associated with Autism and Schizophrenia

Healthcare, Medicine / Mauro Lucas

Copy number variants (CNVs) are genetic changes where segments of chromosomes differ from the usual number of copies. These variations have gained increasing recognition for their role in brain structure and their link to psychiatric disorders. Although CNVs often affect multiple genes, the specific contributions of individual genes within these variants to brain development and

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Astrophysicists Uncover the Secrets Behind the Formation of Massive Galaxies

Astronomy, Astrophysics / Mauro Lucas

It’s both humbling and inspiring to consider how much remains to be discovered about the Universe. My collaborators and I recently addressed one of astrophysics’ longstanding mysteries: how massive elliptical galaxies form. For the first time, we now have strong observational evidence to answer this question, as detailed in our recently published study in Nature.

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A Physicist Explains How to Visualize the Universe’s Astonishing Expansion

Physics / Mauro Lucas

When you bake a loaf of bread or a batch of muffins, you place the dough in a pan. As it bakes, the dough expands into the pan, causing any chocolate chips or blueberries to spread farther apart. In some ways, the Universe’s expansion is similar. However, there’s a key difference: while dough expands into

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Holiday Heart Syndrome: A Significant Health Risk Tied to Festive Drinking

Healthcare, Medicine / Mauro Lucas

As the season of workplace Christmas parties and family gatherings kicks off, many people indulge in heavier-than-usual drinking. After such occasions, you might notice your heart racing or beating irregularly, feel a fluttering in your chest or neck, experience dizziness, or struggle to catch your breath. Concerned, you might head to the emergency department, only

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Does Cold Weather Make You Sick? The Real Reasons Behind Winter Illnesses

Healthcare, Medicine / Mauro Lucas

You’ve likely heard the advice: “Don’t go outside with wet hair or without a coat in the winter—you’ll catch a cold.” While this isn’t entirely accurate, there’s some truth behind it. Cold weather itself doesn’t cause colds, but it does create conditions that make it easier for respiratory viruses like the cold, flu, and even

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Crash of Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Offers New Insights Into the Red Planet

Astronomy, Planetary Science / Mauro Lucas

Even in its final moments, NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter continues to contribute to our understanding of Mars. The groundbreaking aircraft, designed for just five flights over 31 days, exceeded expectations by completing an astonishing 72 missions over nearly three years. Ingenuity’s extraordinary journey ended on January 18, 2024, during a routine flight in the thin Martian

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