Science

Previously unknown ‘loading dock’ found inside human cells

A new organelle has been found by scientists at the University of Virginia. The super-small specialized structure has a role recycling material inside our cells, and its discovery could lead to improved treatments for a wide range of diseases.

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‘Sweating’ paint keeps buildings cool even in hot and humid cities

A new kind of paint might be the key to cooling homes in humid climes like Singapore. Researchers based in the island country found their custom white paint, specially developed to 'sweat,' significantly reduced the need for air conditioning.

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Bizarre new orca beauty routine has left researchers stunned

Killer whales have joined the rare club of animal species that craft tools out of nature and use them to their advantage. For the first time, they've been observed making a brush of sorts out of kelp and then using it on each other.

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Ingenious ice-bubble coding could put data in long-term cold storage

The ice that makes up glaciers isn't 100% solid – it's actually full of air bubbles, some of which formed centuries ago. Inspired by this fact, scientists have developed a method of using bubbles to store coded data in ice.

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Modified yeast “pee-cycles” urine into a valuable biomedical product

There may be a new use for that urine you've been so thoughtlessly flushing. Scientists say it could be an alternate source of a valuable bone- and tooth-repair material, with a little help from a genetically modified type of yeast.

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We finally know the recipe for 5,000-year-old Egyptian blue dye

Ancient Egyptians were not only masters of architecture but also wizards of chemistry. Around 5,000 years ago, they crafted the world’s first synthetic pigment, Egyptian blue, and now researchers think they've finally figured out the original recipe.

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Newly observed magnetic state could unlock ultrafast memory chips

Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology have demonstrated an entirely new form of magnetism in a synthesized crystalline material. They're calling it p-wave magnetism, and it could be the key to next-gen computer memory.

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Lack of key mineral induces male mice to develop ovaries

A surprising finding from researchers in Japan has shown how an environmental factor can influence the development of sex organs in unborn mice. The discovery challenges the longstanding belief that sex is determined purely by genetic factors.

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Dawn Aerospace is selling spaceplanes direct to customers, like airliners

Dawn Aerospace seems to want to play with the big kids as it announces that it will be selling its spaceplane directly to customers the same way that airliner manufacturers market their aircraft, suggesting a major shift in space launch business models.

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Freaks of nature: We now know just why orange cats are “unique”

The existence of orange cats dates back to the 12th century, but the DNA driving this color has been a mystery – until now. Scientists have solved the puzzle, finding a surprise variant that triggers ginger fur, one not seen in any other orange animal.

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