Science

Offshore wind turbine platform pivots downwind like a weathervane

A new offshore wind farm system that promises faster, cheaper installation and operations will be tested in the Mediterranean. Called the NextFloat+ Project, it received a €13.4-million (US$14.4-million) grant from the European Commission.

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Two new hallucinogenic mushroom species discovered by fungi fans

Citizen scientists have been key to the discovery of two new species of hallucinogenic fungi, joining the ranks of 140 known types of these psychoactive mushrooms. One even has longstanding roots in traditional healing medicine in mountainous Lesotho.

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Nervous-system-driven prostheses give amputees greater control

A new surgical technique for below-the-knee amputations retains a person’s ability to receive sensory feedback from remaining muscles. Having a prosthetic leg driven by an amputee’s own nervous system enables them to walk much more naturally, new research has shown.

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Are you as attractive as your partner? You’d better hope so

1,300 heterosexual couples were surveyed to determine how couples rated their hot-or-not appeal. Then their photos were shown to strangers to get an objective assessment of their potential beauty and how it affects their relationship.

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Algae cells recruited to serve as bowel-disease-treating robots

If you suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a pill full of tiny algae robots may be just what you need. The bio-hybrid microrobots have already been shown to reduce symptoms and promote healing in IBD-afflicted lab mice.

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Late-night light raises your type 2 diabetes risk by up to 67%

In a massive study of 85,000 people, tracking 13 million hours, scientists at Flinders University have found that night-time exposure to light increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, independent of daytime activities.

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Butterfly takes epic 2,600-mile transatlantic flight, stuns scientists

In a first, scientists have found that painted lady butterflies use favorable winds and a strategy of active flying and autopilot to cross the world nonstop. The flight, spanning five-to-eight days, takes up to half the adventurous animals' adult life.

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CBD use during pregnancy produces strange behavior in offspring

While CBD or cannabidiol is now widely available, widely used and generally considered safe, new research has found its use during pregnancy may produce some strange behavior in offspring and changes to the way their brains process sensory information.

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Anti-aging molecule successfully restores multiple markers of youth

In pre-clinical trials, a small molecule effectively regrew neurons, reduced inflammation, and improved memory, speed, coordination, grip strength, and more. The finding could have a profound impact on aging and the diseases that accompany it.

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