New Atlas

Environment Audio available

Manipulating gut microbes in livestock could cut their methane emissions

Michael Irving June 28, 2019

Livestock like sheep and cows are responsible for huge amounts of methane emissions. Now, an international team of researchers has analyzed the gut microbes of different sheep and found clues that may help us curb the problem.

Researchers have investigated the gut microbes of sheep to find ways to reduce agricultural methane emissions

Space Audio available

Pluto may have a subsurface ocean thanks to layer of gas insulation

David Szondy May 20, 2019

If there is a subsurface sea on Pluto, why hasn't it frozen solid? According to computer simulations devised by researchers from Japan’s Hokkaido University and elsewhere, it may be that the hypothetical Plutonian sea may remain liquid thanks to an insulating gas layer keeping in the heat.

Natural color images of Pluto taken by NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft in 2015

Materials Audio available

Polymer uses "dumbbells" to glow when it's stressed

Ben Coxworth April 24, 2019

It's always helpful if materials let you know when they're under stress, so that changes can be made before catastrophic failures occur. A new polymer is designed to provide such a warning, as it glows when stretched.

The polymer fluoresces under ultraviolet light, when stretched

Materials Audio available

Muscle-inspired materials that get stronger after stretching

David Szondy February 3, 2019

Scientists have found a way to create materials that actually get stronger the more you use them. By mimicking the mechanism that allows living muscles to grow and strengthen after exercise, the polymer breaks down under mechanical stress, then regrows itself into a stronger configuration.

The new hydrogel mimics muscle tissue by becoming stronger with use

Robotics

Bioinspired robot easily adapts to lost appendages

Ben Coxworth December 14, 2017

In places like disaster sites, it's entirely possible that robots' locomotion systems could be damaged. Would that just stop them in their tracks? Perhaps not, if they're anything like a new brittle star-inspired robot.

The robot was inspired by the brittle star, one of which is pictured here

Biology

Why we can't seem to get rid of cockroaches

Lisa-Ann Lee April 20, 2017

They’ve been around for the past 300 million years, outlasting the dinosaurs and outsmarting our attempts to get rid of them. Now, Japanese researchers have revealed yet another reason why we have been unable to put a dent in their populations: female solidarity.

A new Japanese study reveals that the female American cockroach's penchant for co-operation could explain why ...

Materials

Fiber-reinforced hydrogel is 5 times stronger than steel

David Szondy February 26, 2017

Scientists at Hokkaido University have developed a new set of hydrogel composites that combine gels with woven fiber fabric to create a material that is five times stronger than carbon steel.

The newly developed fiber-reinforced hydrogel consists of polyampholyte gels and glass fiber fabric

Biology

Warrior snail beats down predators with its shell

Nick Lavars November 17, 2016

Faced with an incoming predator, most snails don't really have a lot of options other than to retreat into their shells. But scientists have discovered that certain species won't take such provocations lying down, instead swinging their shells to gain the upper hand on an assailant.

The shell-swinging defense keeps certain snails safe from predators

Biology

The goblin shark has a slingshot mouth

Ben Coxworth August 11, 2016

The bizarre-looking goblin shark lives at great depths, where prey isn't always plentiful. So, how does it manage to catch enough to eat? As scientists recently discovered, it's able to shoot its protruding jaws forward faster than any other fish.

The goblin shark, prior to extending its jaw (top) and with its jaw extended (bottom)

Computers

Magnetic switch holds promise for double capacity solid state storage

Richard Moss June 28, 2016

Japanese researchers have developed a device that can switch between insulating/non-magnet and metallic/magnet states simultaneously by electrochemical reaction at room temperature, with one potential application in flash storage that could double capacity.

Japanese researchers have developed a storage material that can switch back and forth rapidly between magnetic ...