A special group of stars orbiting the violent center of the Milky Way could become “immortal” by constantly capturing and destroying dark matter particles in their cores, a new study suggests. Using computer simulations of stellar evolution, the researchers found that dark matter particles captured by the gravity of these stars can often collide and … Read more
Artist’s impression of a Type II supernova explosion. These supernovae produce gamma rays and powerful ionizing radiation that is dangerous to life. Credit: ESO Earth’s protective atmosphere has sheltered life for billions of years, creating a haven where evolution produced complex life forms like us. The ozone layer plays a critical role in protecting the … Read more
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that structural features of the brain are nearing a critical point similar to a phase transition, observed in species as diverse as humans, mice and fruit flies. This discovery suggests that a universal principle may guide the structure of the brain, which may inspire new computational models to mimic … Read more