New Atlas

Space Audio available

Colossal X-ray "chimneys" discovered at center of the Milky Way

Michael Irving March 20, 2019

It's hard to really understand the large-scale structure of the Milky Way. Now, astronomers have peered towards the center of the galaxy using the ESA's X-ray telescope XMM-Newton, and discovered two colossal "chimneys" pumping huge amounts of energy and gas out into intergalactic space.

An artist's impression of two huge "chimneys" spewing energetic particles out of the center of the ...

Materials Audio available

Ultra-light ceramic aerogel stands up to intense temperature swings

Michael Irving February 17, 2019

Ceramic aerogels are incredibly light and can withstand intense heat. The problem is they can be pretty brittle. Now, a team has developed a new ceramic aerogel that’s far hardier and more flexible, even after repeated exposure to wild temperature swings.

Samples of the new ceramic aerogel, which is incredibly lightweight and can withstand intense heat fluctuations

Materials Audio available

New welding process opens up uses for formerly un-weldable lightweight alloy

Ben Coxworth February 12, 2019

AA7075 is an aluminum alloy that's almost as strong as steel, yet it weighs just one third as much. Unfortunately its use has been limited, due to the fact that pieces of it couldn't be securely welded together. That's recently changed, however, thanks to the use of titanium carbide nanoparticles.

Grad student Maximilian Sokoluk (left), laboratory mechanician Travis Widick and Prof. Xiaochun Li, with a prototype ...

Science Audio available

"Game-changing" research could lead to novel treatment for osteoporosis in women

Anthony Wood January 18, 2019

Scientists have genetically engineered female mice to develop super strong, dense bones by altering neurons in the rodents' brains. The development could be the first step towards a novel treatment for the brittle bone disease osteoporosis in women.

The researchers hope that their work could be used to help combat brittle bone defects in ...

Medical Audio available

Novel nano-gel promises to help kill leftover cancer cells after surgery

Rich Haridy December 10, 2018

The first step in many cancer treatments is to surgically remove the tumor, however this often isn’t enough. As long as a few cancer cells remain the tumors often grow back, but a new innovative spray gel, administered onto a cancerous site during surgery, may help prevent the tumors recurring.

The gel helps the immune system target and kill any cancer cells that remain after tumor-removal ...

Science

Portable device gets the drop on toxic algae

Ben Coxworth October 3, 2018

Freshwater and marine algal blooms can be harmful – even fatal – to wildlife and humans alike, so the sooner that authorities can predict them, the better. A cheap and portable new device developed at UCLA could help them do so.

Science

Genetic technique improves visual learning in mice with autism

Rich Haridy September 24, 2018

A new study has proposed a novel strategy to help autistic individuals improve their ability to process visual information. Mice, engineered with autistic characteristics, were genetically altered to improve their visual and sensory learning abilities.

An experimental technique boosted activity in areas of the visual cortex, helping autistic mice learn a ...

Health & Wellbeing

Gut bacteria mechanism behind the anti-seizure effects of ketogenic diet uncovered

Rich Haridy May 24, 2018

The ketogenic diet was developed a century ago to treat children with severe epilepsy, but how it actually worked was always unclear. Now a new study suggests the diet can elevate levels of specific gut bacteria that subsequently affect certain neurotransmitters to reduce the risk of seizures.

Impressive research out of UCLA has uncovered the connection between gut bacteria and seizures

3D Printing

Breakthrough 3D bio-printer puts artificial tissue on the table

David Szondy May 22, 2018

In a move that could one day lead to artificial transplant organs, a UCLA team has developed a new technique for printing complex bio-tissues using multiple materials. Using a specially modified 3D printer, it promises to one day create complex therapeutic biomaterials on demand.

The 3D bioprinter has two key components: a custom-built microfluidic chip (pictured) and a digital micromirror

Medical

Injectable hydrogel helps brain tissue regrow after stroke in mice

Michael Irving May 21, 2018

The brain may be an incredible organ, but it struggles to repair itself after sustaining damage from a stroke. Now, researchers from UCLA have developed an injectable hydrogel that can coax healthy tissue to patch up damage by helping regenerate new brain tissue, nerve fibers and blood vessels.

A photomicrograph of the new tissue grown in the stroke-damaged cavity of a mouse brain: the ...