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Just beneath their scales, Komodo dragons wear a suit of armor made of tiny bones. These bones cover the dragons from head to tail, creating a 'chain mail' that protects the giant predators. However, the armor raises a question: What does the world's largest lizard — the dominant predator in its natural habitat — need protection from?

There's an atmospheric feedback loop, says an atmospheric scientist, that can lock smoke in valleys in much the same way that temperature inversions lock the smog and gunk in the Salt Lake Valley each winter. But understanding this loop can help scientists predict how smoke will impact air quality in valleys, hopefully helping both residents and firefighters alike.

Tuberculosis and HIV — two of the world's deadliest infectious diseases — are far worse when they occur together. Now researchers have pinpointed an important mechanism at work in this troubling health problem. And, their discovery could lead to a new mode of treatment for people at risk.

A promising semiconductor material, halide perovskite, could be improved if flaws previously thought irrelevant to performance are reduced, according to new research.

A person with drug resistant epilepsy who gets an early surgical intervention has a better chance of becoming seizure free. This is shown in a systematic review and meta-analysis in which researchers analyzed results from a range of previous studies. They concluded that people with drug resistant epilepsy should, as early as possible, be referred for epilepsy surgery evaluation.

A potential treatment for polycystic kidney disease — a genetic disorder that causes the kidneys to swell with multiple cysts and can eventually lead to organ failure — has shown promising results in animal testing.

Scientists have unraveled parts of a mechanism that may one day help to treat Rett syndrome and other genetic disorders linked to the X chromosome.

Food scientists have developed a groundbreaking, user-friendly mathematical model for NASA to help ensure that astronauts' food remains rich in nutrients during extended missions in space.

Researchers have developed a hydrogen supply chain model that can enable the adoption of zero-emission, hydrogen-powered cars — transforming them from a novelty into everyday transportation in just 30 years.

Human hands are skilled at manipulating a range of objects. We can pick up an egg or a strawberry without smashing it. We can hammer a nail. One characteristic that allows us to perform a variety of tasks is the ability to alter the firmness of our grip, and researchers have developed a two-fingered robotic hand that shares this trait. The goal? Improving safety in industrial settings where robots work with people.