ScienceDaily: Strange Science News

Largest cluster of galaxies known in the early universe
Can a robot operate effectively underwater?
Retroviruses are re-writing the koala genome and causing cancer
Microbes deep beneath seafloor survive on byproducts of radioactive process
Accelerator physics: Experiment reveals new options for synchrotron light sources

Largest cluster of galaxies known in the early universe

Posted: 26 Feb 2021 07:38 AM PST

A study has found the most densely populated galaxy cluster in formation in the primitive universe. The researchers predict that this structure, which is at a distance of 12.5 billion light years from us, will have evolved into a cluster similar to that of Virgo, a neighbor of the Local Group of galaxies to which the Milky Way belongs.

Can a robot operate effectively underwater?

Posted: 26 Feb 2021 07:38 AM PST

Researchers find sea stars' shape plays an important role in their ability to withstand dynamic water forces and remain attached to surfaces. Understanding such shape shifting could help design underwater robots that can similarly adapt to extreme hydrodynamic environments.

Retroviruses are re-writing the koala genome and causing cancer

Posted: 26 Feb 2021 07:38 AM PST

Koalas are facing multiple environmental and health issues which threaten their survival. Along with habitat loss - accelerated by last year's devastating bush fires - domestic dog attacks and road accidents, they suffer from deadly chlamydial infections and extremely high frequency of cancer. Scientists now demonstrate that a retrovirus invading the koala germline explains the high frequency of koala cancer.

Microbes deep beneath seafloor survive on byproducts of radioactive process

Posted: 26 Feb 2021 07:38 AM PST

Researchers found that microbes living in ancient sediment below the seafloor are sustained primarily by chemicals created by the natural irradiation of water molecules. Results of this research may have implications for life on Mars.

Accelerator physics: Experiment reveals new options for synchrotron light sources

Posted: 24 Feb 2021 08:31 AM PST

Accelerator experts have used a laser to manipulate electron bunches at PTB's Metrology Light Source so that they emitted intense light pulses having a laser-like character. Using this method, specialized synchrotron radiation sources would potentially be able to fill a gap in the arsenal of available light sources and offer a prototype for industrial applications.