SCIENCE

May 10 2026SCIENCE

A Hands‑On Guide to Finding the Pudendal Nerve in Surgery

The pudendal nerve is a key player in pelvic health, but finding it during operations can be tricky. This guide shows surgeons how to locate the nerve step by step, using female bodies as models to learn where important blood vessels and other nerves sit. By learning a clear “roadmap, ” doctors can

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May 10 2026SCIENCE

Plainfield North Shines in State Science Olympiad

The University of Illinois hosted the state‑level Science Olympiad, where 54 schools vied for top honors. Plainfield North High School, after placing fourth in its regional meet, qualified to compete among the best teams in the state. At the tournament on April 18, students from Plainfield North

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May 10 2026SCIENCE

Curiosity’s rocky hiccup and other science highlights this week

NASA’s Curiosity rover hit an unexpected snag on Mars when a chunk of rock refused to let go after drilling. The stubborn slab, nicknamed Atacama, weighed about 30 pounds—roughly as heavy as a big dog—and stuck to the drill bit like glue. Engineers had to tilt, spin, and shake the drill for days bef

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May 10 2026SCIENCE

Why some grassland plants use different chemical tricks to survive

In the wide grasslands of northern China, two types of plants often compete for space: tough perennial grasses and colorful flowering forbs. Scientists have long noticed that these plants don’t just look different—they also affect the soil and nutrients in contrasting ways. Leaves from grasses and f

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May 10 2026SCIENCE

Uncovering hidden gems in ocean bacteria

Scientists found a tiny ocean organism doing big things. This isn't just any bacteria—it's a type of cyanobacterium called Capilliphycus salinus ALCB114379. It lives where the ocean meets land in Brazil, where tides and weather constantly change. This tough little survivor has a complete genome mapp

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May 09 2026SCIENCE

A Trail of Science Stories

Ned Rozell, who spent three decades writing about Alaska’s science for the university’s forum, rode a 515‑mile bike trip from Fairbanks to Unalakleet before he retired. During the ride, he was honored with three awards: the Edith Bullock Prize from the University of Alaska Foundation, the Roger Smit

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May 09 2026SCIENCE

Cross‑City Hospital Trips Reveal Hidden Health Gaps

People often travel between cities for medical care, yet most studies ignore these moves. In the Pearl River Delta, doctors and patients are spread across many urban centers. Transport plans usually stay within one city’s limits, but patients cross borders for treatment. Researchers used ca

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May 09 2026SCIENCE

Finding the Best Spots for Famous Homes in Huanggang

The research looks at where well‑known old homes were built in the city of Huanggang. It asks which natural features made those places good choices for famous people to live. Using a method called the Analytic Hierarchy Process, the team picked eight key land features. These include things li

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May 09 2026SCIENCE

Diversity Boosts Forest Carbon, Especially in Cold and Dry Places

Scientists studied 15 long‑term forest sites around the world, from tropical jungles to Arctic woodlands. They measured how many different tree species were present and how much organic carbon was stored in the soil, a key factor that helps slow climate change. The overall trend showed that forests

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May 08 2026SCIENCE

Readers Leave Their Mark on an Early Science Book

Researchers have taken a new look at a 17th‑century book about magnetism that first appeared in 1600. They didn’t just count how many copies survived; they also read the notes people wrote inside those books. By combining these two kinds of data, the team could see where readers stopped, highlighted

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