Self organization of large-scale structures in nature - either coherent structures like crystals, or incoherent dynamic structures like clouds - is governed by long-range interactions. In many problems, hydrodynamics and electrostatics are the source of such long-range interactions. The tuning of electrostatic interactions has helped to elucidate when coherent crystalline structures or incoherent amorphous structures form in colloidal systems.

physics, fluid dynamics

In Fukushima, Japan, a prolonged refugee situation caused by a major nuclear incident after the earthquake of March 11, 2011 has led to the unintentional abandonment of many pets. We received stray or abandoned dogs from rescue centers in Fukushima Prefecture. During re-socialization training and health care, we accessed the behavioral characteristics and the urine cortisol level of each dog and compared them with those of other abandoned dogs not involved in this earthquake. The dogs from Fukushima showed significantly lower aggression toward unfamiliar people, trainability, and attachment to their caretakers; also, urine cortisol levels in the dogs from Fukushima were 5–10-fold higher than those in abandoned dogs from another area of Japan. These results suggested that the dogs from Fukushima suffered through an extremely stressful crisis.

nuclear nostalgia, Fukushima

The uneasy relationship between archaeology and ancient genomics... Two fields in the midst of a technological revolution are struggling to reconcile their views of the past.

archeology, DNA

Death rates in later life flatten out and suggest there may be no fixed limit on human longevity, countering some previous work.

longevity, health

Mouse experiments with the popular club drug ketamine may be skewed by the sex of the researcher performing them, a study suggests.

gender, science