science on localnews page 198

A strange occurrence was spotted in the sky back in 2024. A system designed to detect sudden brightening in objects picked up something odd. The automated system couldn't make sense of it at first. Now, about a year later, scientists have figured out what happened. A star was torn apart by a superma

A Soviet Spacecraft's Long Journey Back to Earth

A Soviet spacecraft, Kosmos 482, is on a collision course with Earth. This is not a dramatic movie plot, but a real-life event happening soon. The spacecraft, which has been orbiting Earth for about 50 years, is expected to make an uncontrolled reentry into Earth's atmosphere. This event is set to o

Inquilines: The Tiny Architects of Plant Galls

Inquilines, small organisms that live inside galls, have a big impact on the structure and chemistry of these plant growths. Galls are abnormal growths on plants, often caused by insects or mites. They can change the plant's anatomy and even its cell walls. Inquilines feed on gall tissues, altering

Leonurus japonicus: The Drought Fighter

Leonurus japonicus, a common flowering plant in Asia, faces a big challenge: drought. Drought is a major stress factor for this plant, affecting its growth and survival. WRKY genes are known to help plants cope with drought. These genes produce proteins that act like managers, turning other genes on

Grunion Beach Parties: The Surprising Land Adventures of California's Fish

California's beaches are home to a unique spectacle. Once a year, during the spring high tides, California grunion leave the water and head to the shore. This is not a random occurrence. It is a coordinated effort to reproduce. These fish have developed special ways to move on land. They do this to

The Mystery of T. rex's Asian Roots and the Rise of Giant Predators

The story of the T. rex is one that has captivated many. The T. rex is known for its massive size and fearsome reputation. But where did this giant predator come from? New research suggests that the T. rex's ancestors may have journeyed from Asia to North America. This journey likely took place

Brain Waves and Teamwork: What Happens When We Work Together Without Words

The way our brains work together when we do things as a team without speaking has been studied using a cool method called EEG-hyperscanning. This method shows that when people work together without talking, their brain waves sync up in different ways. This syncing is influenced by what they are doin

Meeting of the Minds: Exploring Earth's Hidden Life

The world of science is always buzzing with exciting events. One such gathering brought together brilliant minds from two major societies. These societies focus on how life interacts with the environment, both above and below ground. This meeting was a big deal. It allowed experts to share their lat

How Learning Changes How We See Faces

Familiarity with faces can greatly affect how we recognize them. This is because our brains store faces in a sort of mental "face space. " When we see a face often, it changes how we see it and how we compare it to other faces. But how exactly does this happen? Researchers looked into this by condu

The Ever-Changing Moral Compass