Researchers find a platform for stable quantum computing

Harvard researchers have demonstrated the first material that can have both strongly correlated electron interactions and topological properties. The discovery both paves the way for more stable quantum computing and creates an entirely new platform to explore exotic physics.

Leah Burrows | Dec. 5, 2019 | harvard

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~6 mins   

Tags: science-technology condensed-matter-physics department-of-physics exotic-physics harris-pirie jenny-hoffman nature-physics physics quantum-computing samarium-hexaboride topological-insulators

'Forgotten' elm tree set to make a comeback

The elm can be restored to its former glory despite Dutch elm disease, say experts.

By Helen Briggs | Dec. 4, 2019 | bbcnews

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~5 mins   

Tags: environment nature trees

Mammalian vertebral columns may reflect pace of evolution

Researchers find clues to evolution in the intricate mammalian vertebral column.

Jed Gottlieb | Nov. 14, 2019 | harvard

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~4 mins   

Tags: science-technology basic-research fas jed-gottlieb katrina-jones mammals museum-of-comparative-zoology nature-communications oeb organismic-and-evolutionary-biology paleontology stephanie-pierce vertebral-column

Seven Worlds, One Planet: 'Gorgeous' nature series gets five-star reviews

Critics call Sir David Attenborough's new nature series "breathtaking" and "visually magnificent".

BBC Science News | Oct. 28, 2019 | bbcnews

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~3 mins   

Tags: nature david-attenborough

Migrating Russian eagles run up huge data roaming charges

Russian scientists tracking eagles got huge SMS bills when some birds flew to Iran and Pakistan.

BBC Science News | Oct. 25, 2019 | bbcnews

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~2 mins   

Tags: nature russia iran kazakhstan wildlife-conservation

Why this woman hates to hear about 'big bad wolf'

The leashed beasts may look like large powerful dogs, but they still have the wild heart of a wolf.

By Dhruti Shah | Oct. 16, 2019 | bbcnews

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~8 mins   

Tags: nature united-states wolves dogs walking colorado women

Study finds gut microbes adapt quickly to changes in food preparation

Scientists have recently discovered that different diets — say, high-fat versus low-fat, or plant-based versus animal-based — can rapidly and reproducibly alter the composition and activity of the gut microbiome, where differences in the composition and activity can affect everything from metabolism to immunity to behavior.

Clea Simon | Oct. 2, 2019 | harvard

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~8 mins   

Tags: health-medicine clea-simon cooking fas gut-microbiome human-evolutionary-biology katia-chadaideh-corinne-f-maurice kylynda-bauer nature-microbiology peter-turnbaugh rachel-carmody vayu-maini-rekdal

'Alarming' extinction threat to Europe's trees

Half of tree species found only on the European continent face extinction, including the conker tree.

By Helen Briggs | Sept. 27, 2019 | bbcnews

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~3 mins   

Tags: environment nature biodiversity

A new paper examines how neuron-like implants could treat brain disorders

A new paper explores why neuron-like implants could offer a better way to treat brain disorders, control prosthetics, or even enhance cognitive abilities.

Caitlin McDermott-Murphy | Sept. 20, 2019 | harvard

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~6 mins   

Tags: science-technology alzheimers-disease brain charles-lieber chemistry deep-brain-stimulation learning memory mind nanotechnology nature-biotechnology neurological-disease neuroscience neurosurgery parkinsons-disease psychiatric-disorders

Big Butterfly Count: Fine weather boosts species in UK

Survey finds many common species of butterfly enjoyed a good summer this year.

BBC Science News | Sept. 13, 2019 | bbcnews

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~3 mins   

Tags: nature butterflies insects