The memory center contains sparse but robust nerve cell connections Pyramidal cells (shown) are the main type of nerve cell in the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center. Jake Watson Our brain’s memory center bears a sleek design. A peek into living tissue from human hippocampi, a brain region crucial for memory and learning, revealed relatively

The JUNO experiment will study the ways of the electrically neutral subatomic particles The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (pictured) will study the subatomic particles when it starts up in summer 2025. Enrico Sacchetti Physicists are putting the finishing touches on the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory, or JUNO, which will delve into the secretive ways of

The spacecraft will make two more close passes in 2025 NASA’s Parker Solar Probe (illustrated here) is the closest artificial object to the sun. APL/NASA NASA’s Parker Solar Probe skimmed the sun on Christmas Eve and lived to tell the tale. The heat-hardened spacecraft made its closest solar flyby yet at 6:53 a.m. EST on

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Numbers of the threatened insect are on the rise in the grasslands of the Loess Canyons American burying beetles are North America’s largest carrion-eating beetle. Monitoring from Nebraska’s Loess Canyons shows the first regional population increase in this threatened species since 1989. Jay Pruett/iNaturalist (CC BY-NC 4.0) One of the world’s best insect undertakers is

A variant of the gene PCSK9 may spur breast cancer’s spread. An approved antibody might stop it A commonly inherited version of the PCSK9 gene may spur breast cancer cells to migrate to other parts of the body (metastasis illustrated). The gene is known for its role in raising cholesterol, and there's already a lab-made antibody for treating it

Real-time data from Axial Seamount provides a good test case for eruption forecasting A 3-D bathymetric (seafloor) map of Axial Seamount in July 2014 shows lava flows from previous eruptions. Red indicates lava at the highest elevation above the seafloor, while dark blue at the edges shows where lava flow was thinnest. Susan Merle/Oregon State

Just a few minutes of vigorous movement per day offers cardiovascular benefits Just a small amount of vigorous activity per day ­— like romping with your dog ­— can lower women’s risk of heart attack and other serious cardiovascular problems. Eleganza/Getty Images A dash of vigorous activity a day could keep the heart troubles away.

Friction between loops of yarn give knit fabrics the ability to take on a variety of shapes Knit fabrics can form a variety of shapes, a phenomenon that helps the fabric to conform to the body. Alexey Arz / Getty Images A good sweater is like a cozy hug made out of yarn. For that

The test, made by SpotitEarly, can detect 4 types of cancer This very good dog is part of a new screening test that relies on canine noses and artificial intelligence to sniff out the odor signature of cancer on people’s breath. SpotitEarly The dogs’ names are Mars, Moon and Pluto, and you might say their