Science Connected, Author at Science Connected Magazine

A team of researchers led by professor Brian Fields hypothesizes that a supernova about 65 light-years away may have contributed to the ozone depletion and subsequent mass extinction of the late Devonian Period, 359 million years ago. Pictured is a simulation of a nearby supernova colliding with and compressing the solar wind. Earth's orbit, the blue dashed circle, and the Sun, red dot, are shown for scale. (Graphic courtesy Jesse Miller)

Did exploding stars cause this mass extinction?

September 28, 2020September 23, 2020 Science ConnectedDevonian extinction, Ozone depletion, supernova

Researchers at the University of Illinois think supernova explosions triggered the end-Devonian mass extinction 359 million years ago.

Astronomy Nature Photography

Hubble Image of Jupiter Shows New Storm Brewing

September 23, 2020September 22, 2020 Science ConnectedESA, Jupiter, NASA, space

A new Hubble image of Jupiter released by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) reveals a new storm is brewing on the gas giant.

Astronomy

The Moon is Rusting, and Earth is Responsible

September 14, 2020September 14, 2020 Science Connectedastronomy, moon, space

Rust in the form of hematite has been found on the Moon, and new research suggests it could be caused by the Earth’s atmosphere.

Proteins in blood cells research team. Pictures left to right: Luciano di Croce, Livia Condemi, Isabel Espejo Díaz, Cecilia Ballaré and Arantxa Guitiérrez Velázquez (Photo by Marta Vila)

Biology Health

Protein Affects 10 Billion Blood Cells a Day

September 9, 2020September 9, 2020 Science Connectedblood, blood stem cells, epigenetics, genetics, protein, stem cells

Special proteins in your blood have been identified by researchers for their role in activating stem cells to develop into healthy blood cells.

Environment Health

COVID-19 Highlights Lack of Clean Water Access

August 3, 2020August 1, 2020 Science Connectedcoronavirus, COVID-19, health, water, water quality

The need for good hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting the lack of access to clean water some communities are facing.

Health

Dining at Home May Combat Obesity

July 27, 2020July 25, 2020 Science Connectedchildhood obesity, dining, obesity

Americans are cooking and eating more family meals at home to stay safe and save money, but it might also curb the obesity epidemic.

Surfers: A surfer rides a wave against the industrial backdrop of Lake Michigan. (Credit: Mike Killion/Courtesy of Surfrider)

Citizen Science Environment SciStarter Blog

Surfers Pick Up the Slack to Monitor Water

July 23, 2020July 18, 2020 Science Connectedcitizen science, surfing, water, water contamination

A massive network of surfers and citizen scientists is monitoring water quality and water contamination in places governments don’t.

Biology Psychology

What Loneliness Looks Like in the Brain

July 22, 2020July 19, 2020 Science Connectedbrain, closeness, loneliness, mental health, neurobiology, social science

Loneliness is recognizable in brain maps that capture levels of closeness with others and feelings of similarity to or difference from others.

Environment Health

Oil Field Water OK for Some CA Irrigation

July 20, 2020July 17, 2020 Science Connectedagriculture, cropland, irrigation, oil drilling, water conservation

Irrigation with water from oil fields may be safe for a California water district’s crops if the water is diluted and boron-tolerant crops are grown.

Biology Health

Anxious After Social Isolation in Lockdown?

July 6, 2020July 10, 2020 Science Connectedanti-social, brain mapping, loneliness, neuroscience, social isolation, zebrafish

Are you a loner or a lonely fish? Social isolation in zebrafish led to anxiety when reintroduced to society, mirroring how many humans feel after lockdown.