We’ve measured the size of Venus’s planetary core for the first time
29 April 2021
Venus has a core that is approximately 7000 kilometres in diameter – about the same as Earth’s core – according to the first observation-based estimate
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Premium
A baby’s first poo reveals if they are at risk of allergies and asthma
29 April 2021
If the first stool passed by a baby is rich in a diverse set of chemicals, this may encourage the growth of beneficial gut bacteria that support a healthy immune system
Japanese bay full of fish scales could mark start of the Anthropocene
29 April 2021
A bay in south-west Japan could become the place on Earth that geologists use to officially establish the start of the Anthropocene, thanks to an abundance of sardine scales that mark humanity's growing influence on the planet
Female black widow spider mates with and eats multiple males
29 April 2021
Female black widow spiders often mate with and eat only one male – but in one species the female will mate again, meaning males die even though they may not father offspring
Billion-year-old microbe had taken first step towards internal organs
28 April 2021
Multicellular organisms were developing bodies with different kinds of cell much earlier than thought – a key step towards animals with complex bodies and multiple organs
Multiple negative events before birth could lead to poor mental health
28 April 2021
Children who experienced multiple negative events before birth, such as exposure to alcohol or pre-eclampsia, are at higher risk of experiencing poor mental health
'Smart' immune cells kill tumours and stop them regrowing in mice
28 April 2021
In animal studies, "smart" immune cells genetically engineered to attack tumours in a new way eradicated brain, ovarian and asbestos-related tumours where normal immune cells failed
White noise could warn birds to avoid colliding with tall structures
28 April 2021
Broadcasting sound at oncoming birds can alert them to buildings or wind turbines, making them take a wider path around the structure and lowering their risk of collision
New species of 'pumpkin toadlet' poisonous frog found in Brazil
28 April 2021
Pumpkin toadlets are poisonous frogs small enough to fit on a thumbnail, and researchers have uncovered a new species of these neon orange amphibians in Brazil
Frozen cloud of molecules acts as a single quantum object
28 April 2021
For the first time, researchers have created a frozen cloud of molecules that share the same quantum state, meaning it behaves as if it were a single molecule
