Researchers have mapped a tiny piece of the human brain in astonishing detail. The resulting cell atlas, which was described today in Science1 and is available online, reveals new patterns of connections between brain cells called neurons, as well as cells that wrap around themselves to form knots, and pairs of neurons that are almost…

The big nature story across Oregon this week was a Vancouver, WA photographer’s sighting of an extremely rare blue rock-thrush at Hug Point, the first confirmed record of the bird ever in the United States. The sighting sent birders speeding to the coast, trying desperately to catch a look at the rarity before it moved…

Since 1950, humanity has produced more than 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic. Most has ended up in landfills or the environment. Now, scientists are working on biological solutions to address the plastic pollution crisis at every stage of the material’s life cycle. Innovative new filters built from naturally occurring ingredients can capture micro- and…

Risky play should be incorporated into early childhood science education in nature-based settings to lay early foundations for science education, an expert says. In a new research paper published in the Early Childhood Education Journal, Dr Chris Speldewinde, from Deakin University’s Centre in Education, Research for Educational Impact (REDI), examined how educators use children’s risky…

An AlphaFold3 model of a bacterial enzyme bound to a chemical.Credit: Isomorphic Labs Since the powerhouse artificial intelligence (AI) tool AlphaFold2 was released in 2021, scientists have used the protein-structure-prediction model to map one of our cells’ biggest machines, discover drugs and chart the universe of every known protein. Despite such successes, John Jumper —…

Risky outdoor play can boost science education May 7, 2024 Editors’ notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X’s editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content’s credibility: fact-checked trusted source proofread by Deakin University <div data-thumb="https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/tmb/2024/risky-outdoor-play-can.jpg" data-src="https://scx2.b-cdn.net/gfx/news/hires/2024/risky-outdoor-play-can.jpg" data-sub-html="Play at great heights. Credit: Early Childhood Education Journal (2024).…

Marc Quinn has just opened a major exhibition at Kew Gardens exploring the relationship between people and plants. Building on the artist’s long-standing interest in nature and the human experience, Quinn’s Light into Life features monumental sculptures across the Gardens alongside a dedicated presentation of works from the 1990s until today in the Shirley Sherwood…

You can find an unusual spot in Chervone Zarichchia, a Ukrainian village one hour southeast of the capital, Kyiv. This unique place has a lake with the same name as the nearby river, Supii, which formed in the 18th century. Long ago, the last leader of the Ukrainian state of Zaporizhian Cossacks, Hetman Kyrylo Rozumovsky,…

The following is a press release issued by the UC Hopland Research and Extension Center: Sheep in the beautiful oak countryside of the UC HREC [Picture provided by HREC] Wildflowers are still blooming across the rolling hills of the 5,358-acre UC Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC), a perfect time to celebrate all the learning…