How Much Mass Makes a Black Hole? Astronomers Challenge Current Theories

How Much Mass Makes a Black Hole? Astronomers Challenge Current Theories: "(PhysOrg.com) -- Using ESO's Very Large Telescope, European astronomers have for the first time demonstrated that a magnetar -- an unusual type of neutron star -- was formed from a star with at least 40 times as much mass as the Sun. The result presents great challenges to current theories of how stars evolve, as a star as massive as this was expected to become a black hole, not a magnetar. This now raises a fundamental question: just how massive does a star really have to be to become a black hole?"

Portugueses descobrem gene associado à enxaqueca

Portugueses descobrem gene associado à enxaqueca: "Investigadores portugueses descobriram que a causa das enxaquecas está nos genes, uma descoberta que poderá abrir as portas a novas terapêuticas para esta doença incapacitante, que afecta mais de uma em cada..."

Experiments offer tantalizing clues as to why matter prevails in the universe

Experiments offer tantalizing clues as to why matter prevails in the universe: "A large collaboration of physicists working at the Fermilab Tevatron particle collider has discovered evidence of an explanation for the prevalence of matter over antimatter in the universe. They found that colliding protons in their experiment produced short-lived B meson particles that almost immediately broke down into debris that included slightly more matter than antimatter. The two types of matter annihilate each other, so most of the material coming from these sorts of decays would disappear, leaving an excess of regular matter behind."

Researchers find function of proteins that can enhance the progression of viruses and cancer cells

Researchers find function of proteins that can enhance the progression of viruses and cancer cells: "In a discovery that has implications for developing treatments against cancer and potentially deadly viruses, researchers at SUNY Downstate Medical Center have discovered the function of proteins that can enhance the progression of certain viruses and cancer cells. Their findings were published in the journal Genes and Development."

Fermi detects 'shocking' surprise from supernova's little cousin

Fermi detects 'shocking' surprise from supernova's little cousin: "Astronomers using NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope have detected gamma-rays from a nova for the first time, a finding that stunned observers and theorists alike. The discovery overturns the notion that novae explosions lack the power to emit such high-energy radiation."

Citizen scientists discover rotating pulsar

Citizen scientists discover rotating pulsar: "Idle computers are the astronomers' playground: three citizen scientists -- an American couple and a German -- have discovered a new radio pulsar hidden in data gathered by the Arecibo Observatory. This is the first deep-space discovery by Einstein@Home, which uses donated time from the home and office computers of 250,000 volunteers from 192 different countries. This is the first genuine astronomical discovery by a public volunteer distributed computing project."

ALERTA: espectáculo de estrelas cadentes. As Perseidas são esta noite!

ALERTA: espectáculo de estrelas cadentes. As Perseidas são esta noite!: "O pico da chuva de estrelas Perseidas será esta noite. Não faltarão estrelas cadentes no céu. Cerca de uma por minuto. Leiam todas as informações que precisam saber, nestes sites: - astroPT: post deste ano com informações sobre esta chuva de estrelas e como observar. - astroPT: post do ano passado, com gráficos e vídeos. [...]"