University of Kent

Scientists have developed a novel material that can withstand supersonic impacts

Materials

New protein-based armor material can withstand supersonic impacts

Researchers at the University of Kent have developed a protein-based family of synthetic materials that can withstand supersonic impacts. Called TSAMs, they see these materials one day finding use in military and space applications.

Despite living in a mixed woodland/grassland environment, the chimpanzees observed in the study spent just as much time in the trees as chimps living in tropical forests

Biology

Chimp study refutes prevailing theory on origins of bipedalism

It has long been believed that our prehistoric ancestors started walking on two legs as they moved from the trees into the open environment of the African savanna. A new study of chimpanzees, however, suggests that such may not have been the case.

Researchers have used CRISPR to genetically engineer litters of mice to be entirely male or entirely female, which could reduce unnecessary culling of animals

Science

Groundbreaking use of CRISPR selects sex of mice with 100% efficiency

Scientists have used the CRISPR gene-editing system to produce litters of mice that are 100 percent either male or female. The technique could help prevent the unnecessary culling of animals of unwanted sex in agriculture or scientific experiments.

The InvestEGGator, as the decoy has been named, is 3D printed and fitted with GPS devices

Environment

GPS-equipped decoy eggs reveal wildlife smuggling routes in Costa Rica

Wildlife smugglers do their best to conceal the path of their stolen goods. But what if those goods weren’t actually wildlife, but a disguised GPS tracker that revealed exactly where it had been taken instead?

Scientists have discovered a new chemical in willow trees that has shown potential to kill a variety of cancer cells in the lab

Medical

Newly discovered chemical in willow trees kills various cancer cells

After giving the world aspirin more than a century ago, the bark of the willow tree has again been tapped for its life-saving potential, this time offering up a novel chemical that has proven capable of killing various cancer cells in the lab.

In the US alone, over 37 million people suffer from migraines

Medical

In-ear device made to mitigate migraines

There may be new hope for migraine sufferers, in the form of a gadget that gets shoved up the ear. It alternately heats and cools the inside of the ear canal, and was recently shown to be effective in a study carried out by Britain's University of Kent.