Fitness trackers| U. Pittsburgh Don’t bank on wearables to keep weight off
Wearable devices that monitor physical activity are not reliable tools for weight loss, say researchers. As a matter of fact, they may have the opposite effect. Read more
Flow of time| UC Berkeley Physicist explains why time travel isn’t possible
In a new book, physicist Richard Muller answers the question: Why does the arrow of time flow inexorably toward the future, constantly creating new "nows?" His idea: Time is expanding because space is expanding. Video: Muller discusses time travel
Spinal cord injury| Rice How to 'knit' severed spinal cords with graphene ribbons
A new material made of graphene nanoribbons and a common polymer might help knit damaged or even severed spinal cords. Scientists used it to restore function in a rodent with a spinal cord injury. "We think we’re on the right path," says James Tour. Read more
Algebra| Johns Hopkins Blind people do math in the ‘visual’ cortex
People blind from birth appear to do math in a part of the brain typically devoted to vision, a study finds. “If we can make the visual cortex do math,” says Marina Bedny, “in principle, we can make any part of the brain do anything.” Read more
Knee damage| Johns Hopkins Is testosterone why ACL tears are worse for women?
Women are 10 times more likely to suffer ACL damage than men. A lack of testosterone, which may strengthen the same ligament in men’s knees, could be why. Read more
Image of the Day
A new fluorescent sensor developed by researchers at Penn State is highly sensitive and highly selective for chloride, the key diagnostic marker in cystic fibrosis. The device detects salt concentrations in sweat or other bodily fluids. Read more
