Space: Structures and Features
Published

Signs of disturbance in nearby dwarf galaxies indicate an alternative gravity theory      (via sciencedaily.com) 

According to the standard model of cosmology, the vast majority of galaxies are surrounded by a halo of dark matter particles. This halo is invisible, but its mass exerts a strong gravitational pull on galaxies in the vicinity. A new study challenges this view of the Universe. The results suggest that the dwarf galaxies of Earth's second closest galaxy cluster -- known as the Fornax Cluster -- are free of such dark matter halos.

Space: Structures and Features
Published

Out with a bang: Explosive neutron star merger captured for the first time in millimeter light      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists have recorded millimeter-wavelength light from a fiery explosion caused by the merger of a neutron star with another star. The team also confirmed this flash of light to be one of the most energetic short-duration gamma-ray bursts ever observed, leaving behind one of the most luminous afterglows on record.

Space: Structures and Features
Published

Scientists reveal distribution of dark matter around galaxies 12 billion years ago -- further back in time than ever before      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Using Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation instead of visible light allows scientists to determine the distribution of dark matter several billion years earlier than previously possible.

Space: Structures and Features
Published

Super-Earth skimming habitable zone of red dwarf      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A super-Earth planet has been found near the habitable zone of a red dwarf star only 37 light-years from the Earth. This is the first discovery by a new instrument on the Subaru Telescope and offers a chance to investigate the possibility of life on planets around nearby stars. With such a successful first result, we can expect that the Subaru Telescope will discover more, potentially even better, candidates for habitable planets around red dwarfs.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

A paper battery with water switch      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A team of researchers has developed a water-activated disposable paper battery. The researchers suggest that it could be used to power a wide range of low-power, single-use disposable electronics -- such as smart labels for tracking objects, environmental sensors and medical diagnostic devices -- and minimize their environmental impact.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Magnetic quantum material broadens platform for probing next-gen information technologies      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists have used neutron scattering to determine whether a specific material's atomic structure could host a novel state of matter called a spiral spin liquid. By tracking tiny magnetic moments known as 'spins' on the honeycomb lattice of a layered iron trichloride magnet, the team found the first 2D system to host a spiral spin liquid.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Graphene scientists capture images of atoms 'swimming' in liquid      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Graphene scientists have created a novel 'nano-petri dish' using two-dimensional (2D) materials to create a new method of observing how atoms move in liquid.

Space: Structures and Features
Published

Space study offers clearest understanding yet of the life cycle of supermassive black holes      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Supermassive black holes with varying light signatures are actually in different stages of the life cycle.

Space: Structures and Features
Published

Heaviest neutron star to date is a 'black widow' eating its mate      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Millisecond pulsars spin far more rapidly than expected for a collapsed star. The best chance to study these neutron stars is to find a black widow system where the pulsar has evaporated and eaten much of its companion star. The Keck I telescope was just able to capture spectra of one such companion, allowing astronomers to weigh its pulsar. It's the heaviest found to date, and perhaps near the upper limit for a neutron star.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Bioinspired protein creates stretchable 2D layered materials      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Nature creates layered materials like bone and mother-of-pearl that become less sensitive to defects as they grow. Now researchers have created, using biomimetic proteins patterned on squid ring teeth, composite layered 2D materials that are resistant to breaking and extremely stretchable.

Space: Structures and Features
Published

Halos and dark matter: A recipe for discovery      (via sciencedaily.com) 

About three years ago, a team of astronomers went looking for the universe's missing mass, better known as dark matter, in the heart of an atom. Their expedition didn't lead them to dark matter, but they still found something that had never been seen before, something that defied explanation. Well, at least an explanation that everyone could agree on.

Space: Structures and Features
Published

Measuring the universe with star-shattering explosions      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Astronomers have analyzed archive data for powerful cosmic explosions from the deaths of stars and found a new way to measure distances in the distant Universe.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Buckyballs on gold are less exotic than graphene      (via sciencedaily.com) 

C60 molecules on a gold substrate appear more complex than their graphene counterparts, but have much more ordinary electronic properties. This is now shown by measurements with ARPES at BESSY II and detailed calculations.

Space: Structures and Features
Published

Astronomers develop novel way to 'see' the first stars through the fog of the early Universe      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A team of astronomers has developed a method that will allow them to 'see' through the fog of the early Universe and detect light from the first stars and galaxies.

Space: Exploration Space: Structures and Features Space: The Solar System
Published

Why Jupiter doesn't have rings like Saturn      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Because it's bigger, Jupiter ought to have larger, more spectacular rings than Saturn has. But new research shows Jupiter's massive moons prevent that vision from lighting up the night sky.

Space: Exploration Space: Structures and Features Space: The Solar System
Published

Global map of lunar hydrogen: Data confirms role water played in moon's formation      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Using data collected over two decades ago, scientists have compiled the first complete map of hydrogen abundances on the Moon's surface. The map identifies two types of lunar materials containing enhanced hydrogen and corroborates previous ideas about lunar hydrogen and water, including findings that water likely played a role in the Moon's original magma-ocean formation and solidification.

Space: Structures and Features
Published

A new method to detect exoplanets      (via sciencedaily.com) 

In recent years, a large number of exoplanets have been found around single 'normal' stars. New research shows that there may be exceptions to this trend. Researchers suggest a new way of detecting dim bodies, including planets, orbiting exotic binary stars known as Cataclysmic Variables (CVs).

Engineering: Graphene
Published

New research furthers understanding of the electronic structure of graphite      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Graphite is an incredibly important, versatile mineral, with uses spanning industries. Graphite is an essential component of many batteries, including lithium-ion batteries, and demand is only increasing as new technology is developed. Surprisingly, no spectroscopic studies have so far accurately measured the electronic states of the surface and the edge of graphite from a microscopic point of view. Indeed, the improvement in battery performance depends largely on the control of the characteristics of the graphite at the tip.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Researcher uses graphene for same-time, same-position biomolecule isolation and sensing      (via sciencedaily.com) 

New research has overcome a major challenge to isolating and detecting molecules at the same time and at the same location in a microdevice. The work demonstrates an important advance in using graphene for electrokinetic biosample processing and analysis and could allow lab-on-a-chip devices to become smaller and achieve results faster.

Space: Structures and Features
Published

'Black hole police' discover a dormant black hole outside our galaxy      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A team of international experts, renowned for debunking several black hole discoveries, have found a stellar-mass black hole in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a neighbor galaxy to our own. The researchers found that the star that gave rise to the black hole vanished without any sign of a powerful explosion.