Science News: Brain Aging, Big Bang Matter, Ice Age DNA, Mars, Neutrinos, and Newborn Health
Extra weight may be aging your brain faster than you think
A 24-year study of more than 8,200 adults found that excess body weight was associated with faster declines in memory, concentration, and decision-making, with the association especially pronounced among participants over 65, though the findings do not establish causation. Read more: Extra weight may be aging your brain faster than you think
Large Hadron Collider reveals evidence of Big Bang matter in surprisingly small collisions
CERN’s Large Hadron Collider has produced compelling evidence that relatively small atomic collisions can recreate quark-gluon plasma, suggesting that the primordial state may be accessible in a broader range of collision conditions than previously demonstrated. Read more: Large Hadron Collider reveals evidence of Big Bang matter in surprisingly small collisions
30,000-year-old DNA reveals Ice Age Europeans were far more connected than we thought
DNA recovered from human remains and cave sediments suggests that Europeans living more than 30,000 years ago maintained connections across vast distances, challenging the idea that Ice Age populations were largely isolated. Read more: 30,000-year-old DNA reveals Ice Age Europeans were far more connected than we thought
NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover breaks historic record after traveling 28 miles
NASA’s Perseverance rover has traveled 28.10 miles across Mars, farther than any vehicle has driven on another world, reflecting improvements in its autonomous navigation and driving capabilities. Read more: NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover breaks historic record after traveling 28 miles
IceCube detects ghost particles with 10 billion times the energy of solar neutrinos
The IceCube observatory in Antarctica has detected neutrinos carrying about 10 billion times the energy of solar neutrinos, particles that may provide clues about the early universe and extreme cosmic events. Read more: IceCube detects ghost particles with 10 billion times the energy of solar neutrinos
Newborn survival improves when families receive financial support
A program providing unconditional cash transfers to pregnant people and infants was associated with reduced neonatal mortality in Flint, Michigan, adding evidence that direct financial support may improve health outcomes during the earliest stages of life. Read more: Newborn survival improves when families receive financial support