Latest Science — 21 September 2017

Latest Science

21 September 2017

Tougher, shinier mirrors boost telescope power

A durable silver coating for mirrors may provide an easy upgrade for optical telescopes around the world, writes Andrew Masterson.

Space

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Tougher, shinier mirrors boost telescope power

Space

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Carbon calculations say sixth mass extinction looms

Mathematics

Sedimentary rocks at Meishan, China, that contain signatures of a disturbance in the carbon cycle immediately preceding Earth's greatest mass extinction.

How polio can fight cancer

Biology

A molecular model of a poliovirus capsid.

Why universities need to tell better stories

Society

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Understanding the Earth’s core values

Geoscience

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The bizarre chemistry Cassini found on Titan

The bizarre chemistry Cassini found on Titan

Video

Expect the unexpected from the big-data boom in radio astronomy

Expect the unexpected from the big-data boom in radio astronomy

Cosmos Conversation

Tesla vs Edison: the AC/DC current wars make a comeback

Tesla vs Edison: the AC/DC current wars make a comeback

Opinion

Nanotech skin patch turns white fat into energy-burning brown fat

Nanotech skin patch turns white fat into energy-burning brown fat

News

This ALMA image reveals much finer structure in the U Antliae shell than has previously been possible.

A cool red star blows a bubble

Image of the Day

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Tougher, shinier mirrors boost telescope power

News

Image of the Day

This ALMA image reveals much finer structure in the U Antliae shell than has previously been possible.

The world’s biggest X-ray laser blasts into action

Features

Splashdown!

Image of the Day

Primordial black holes may create gold and other heavy elements

The origin of heavy elements like gold and uranium may lie in dramatic collisions between primordial black holes and fast-spinning neutron stars

News

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Making alien worlds on Earth

Australian nuclear scientists are finding fresh ways to uncover the secrets of space, writes Belinda Smith.

Physics

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Artificial muscle does the heavy lifting for soft robots

News

Skeleton with an artificial bicep.

Photonic chips turn lightning into thunder

News

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More technologies

Signs of life

Image of the Day

The fossilised tracks of creatures more than half a billion years old.

Lifting the veil from Neanderthal technology

News

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More palaeontologies

Why universities need to tell better stories

Tesla vs Edison: the AC/DC current wars make a comeback

Why planetary protection meant Cassini had to die

Lady with the logarithm: four lessons from Florence Nightingale

How polio can fight cancer

A modified form of poliovirus attacks cancer cells and also recruits the body’s immune system to the cause, writes Andrew Masterson.

News

A molecular model of a poliovirus capsid.

The size of a duck’s penis depends on the company it keeps

News

Nanotech skin patch turns white fat into energy-burning brown fat

News

Carbon calculations say sixth mass extinction looms

News

Sedimentary rocks at Meishan, China, that contain signatures of a disturbance in the carbon cycle immediately preceding Earth's greatest mass extinction.

Lady with the logarithm: four lessons from Florence Nightingale

Opinion

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More mathematics

Expect the unexpected from the big-data boom in radio astronomy

Space

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Bacterial baggage: how humans are spreading germs all over the globe

Society

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More conversations

What is concussion?

What is concussion?

Explainer

Why are viruses considered to be non-living?

Why are viruses considered to be non-living?

Explainer

Zircons: How tiny crystals open a window into the early history of Earth

Zircons: How tiny crystals open a window into the early history of Earth

Explainer

What is Deep Learning and how does it work?

What is Deep Learning and how does it work?

Explainer

More explainers

The bizarre chemistry Cassini found on Titan

The science of stopping batteries exploding

How hurricanes can suck water away from shorelines and expose the sea floor

Crab-hunting octopus takes to land

Biology

13 finalists from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017

Biology

An Arctic fox carries a snow goose egg.

Background artists: nature’s most successful camouflage tricks

Biology

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The bad science of medical cannabis – landing soon

Also in this issue: Understanding autism – Plate tectonics and early life – The life of Mary Fairfax Somerville – much more!

issue

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Fun physics facts about lasers

Society

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The Big Anxiety: What not to miss

Society

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More blog posts