Theguardian
Jun 4, 08:00
The race to combat Ebola: what vaccines and treatments are being developed and how long will it take?
With the Bundibugyo strain of the disease spreading across the DRC and Uganda, scientists and researchers are trying to find rapid solutions There is no vaccine or treatment available for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola that is spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, but this week three vaccine developers were awarded $60m (£45m) in emergency funding as the race to halt the outbreak ramps up. Security issues in the affected region of the DRC, where conflict has displaced tens of thousands, have made it challenging to set up trials to test drugs. Militias operate in the area and some Ebola treatment centres have been attacked . Continue reading...
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The race to combat Ebola: what vaccines and treatments are being developed and how long will it take?. Security issues in the affected region of the DRC, where conflict has displaced tens of thousands, have made it challenging to set up trials to test drugs. Militias operate in the area and some Ebola treatment centres have been attacked .
TL;DR:
With the Bundibugyo strain of the disease spreading across the DRC and Uganda, scientists and researchers are trying to find rapid solutions There is no vaccine or treatment available for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola that is spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, but this week three vaccine developers were awarded $60m (£45m) in emergency funding as the race to halt the outbreak ramps up.
Sciencedaily
Jun 4, 06:54
NASA's Webb detects methane and strange chemistry on interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has uncovered unusual chemistry in interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, including the first direct detection of methane on a visitor from another star system. The comet also contains exceptionally high levels of carbon dioxide, making it unlike most comets born in our solar system. Scientists believe the methane was hidden beneath the surface and only emerged after solar heating reached deeper icy layers.
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NASA's Webb detects methane and strange chemistry on interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. The comet also contains exceptionally high levels of carbon dioxide, making it unlike most comets born in our solar system. Scientists believe the methane was hidden beneath the surface and only emerged after solar heating reached deeper icy layers.
TL;DR:
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has uncovered unusual chemistry in interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, including the first direct detection of methane on a visitor from another star system.
Sciencedaily
Jun 4, 06:54
Cancer’s favorite escape trick may actually make it easier to kill
Scientists have uncovered a surprising new way the immune system fights cancer, overturning a core belief that has guided immunology for decades. The research found that when cancer cells shut down a key immune-recognition molecule called MHC I—a common trick used to hide from “killer” T cells—they can actually become more vulnerable to attack by a different group of immune cells known as CD4+ “helper” T cells.
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Scientists have uncovered a surprising new way the immune system fights cancer, overturning a core belief that has guided immunology for decades. The research found that when cancer cells shut down a key immune-recognition molecule called MHC I—a common trick used to hide from “killer” T cells—they can actually become more vulnerable to attack by a different group of immune ce…
TL;DR:
Scientists have uncovered a surprising new way the immune system fights cancer, overturning a core belief that has guided immunology for decades.
Sciencedaily
Jun 4, 06:54
Beluga whales keep switching mates and it may be saving their species
Hidden beneath Arctic waters, beluga whales have long kept their family lives a mystery. By analyzing DNA from more than 600 belugas in Alaska’s Bristol Bay over 13 years, researchers uncovered a surprisingly flexible mating system: both males and females regularly have offspring with different partners over their lifetimes.
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Beluga whales keep switching mates and it may be saving their species. Hidden beneath Arctic waters, beluga whales have long kept their family lives a mystery. By analyzing DNA from more than 600 belugas in Alaska’s Bristol Bay over 13 years, researchers uncovered a surprisingly flexible mating system: both males and females regularly have offspring with different partners ove…
TL;DR:
Hidden beneath Arctic waters, beluga whales have long kept their family lives a mystery.
Bbc
Jun 4, 05:17
Failing sea defences 'disaster' for nature reserve
Home News US & Canada UK UK Politics England N. Ireland N. Ireland Politics Scotland Scotland Politics Wales Wales Politics Africa Asia China India Australia Europe Latin America Middle East In Pictu…
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Home News US & Canada UK UK Politics England N. Ireland Politics Scotland Scotland Politics Wales Wales Politics Africa Asia China India Australia Europe Latin America Middle East In Pictures BBC InDepth BBC Verify Football 2026 Business World of Business Technology of Business NYSE Opening Bell Technology Artificial Intelligence Intelligence Revolution AI v the Mind Tech Now…
TL;DR:
An internationally important nature reserve in Hampshire is under threat from failing flood defences.
Theguardian
Jun 4, 04:00
Heatstroke, sports washing and VAR psychology: the science of the World Cup – podcast
It’s just a week until the first whistle of the 2026 World Cup. To mark the occasion, Madeleine Finlay talks to Ian Sample about the science behind the tournament. It’s likely to be one of the hottest ever World Cups, and scientists have written to Fifa asking it to reconsider its heat mitigations for players and referees. Dr Oliver Gibson of Brunel University outlines their concerns. Also on the agenda is the huge fossil-fuel impact of the tournament, and the effect of VAR on the psychology of referees and fans Subscribe to Football Weekly for coverage of all the World Cup games Support the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod Continue reading...
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Heatstroke, sports washing and VAR psychology: the science of the World Cup – podcast. It’s likely to be one of the hottest ever World Cups, and scientists have written to Fifa asking it to reconsider its heat mitigations for players and referees.
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It’s just a week until the first whistle of the 2026 World Cup.
Arstechnica
Jun 3, 22:09
Microsoft, Atom Computing, EeroQ update their quantum computing progress
Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav With dozens of companies, from small startups to tech g…
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Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav With dozens of companies, from small startups to tech giants, pursuing quantum computing, there’s a steady flow of results as they try to find a path to utility.
TL;DR:
Some quantum computing companies we've covered have done recent progress updates.
Newscientist
Jun 3, 19:00
New Scientist recommends a deep dive into our organs by Giulia Enders
Giulia Enders made her name with Gut, an exploration of our intestines. Now, in the compelling follow-up Organ Speak, she’s listening to what our other organs are telling us
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New Scientist recommends a deep dive into our organs by Giulia Enders. Giulia Enders made her name with Gut, an exploration of our intestines. Now, in the compelling follow-up Organ Speak, she’s listening to what our other organs are telling us
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Giulia Enders made her name with Gut, an exploration of our intestines.
Newscientist
Jun 3, 17:00
Earth has a mysterious triple symmetry that may influence its climate
A circle running along the 27° east and 153° west meridians divides the globe into two halves with equal reflectivity – and this may have implications for solar geoengineering schemes
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A line that runs through Africa, Europe, Alaska and both poles divides Earth into two halves that reflect the same amount of light – and this newly discovered symmetry may play a critical role in the planet’s climate. This symmetry has persisted throughout 25 years of satellite observations analysed by Zhang and his colleagues.
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A circle running along the 27° east and 153° west meridians divides the globe into two halves with equal reflectivity – and this may have implications for solar geoengineering schemes
Newscientist
Jun 3, 16:00
Ditch the niceties in AI prompts to save energy use, say researchers
A UN report warns of the rapid growth in AI energy consumption, but suggests users can improve efficiency by making prompts more concise
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UN researchers are urging people to be less polite to artificial intelligences after a report found that cutting words from prompts could reduce ChatGPT’s energy consumption by up to 25 per cent.
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A UN report warns of the rapid growth in AI energy consumption, but suggests users can improve efficiency by making prompts more concise
Newscientist
Jun 3, 16:00
Atom-based quantum computers are catching up in the race to usefulness
A quantum computer made from extremely cold atoms can correct its own errors during long computations, an important prerequisite for becoming truly useful
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The race to build the first truly useful quantum computer just got more exciting. Though there is wide agreement that sufficiently powerful quantum computers would transform our ability to discover new materials and drugs, and break the encryption that underpins the internet , there are many competing ideas about how best to build them.
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A quantum computer made from extremely cold atoms can correct its own errors during long computations, an important prerequisite for becoming truly useful
Sciencedaily
Jun 3, 15:01
Scientists simulated a nuclear fireball and found a surprise in the fallout
Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory recreated part of the intense chaos inside a nuclear fireball to better understand how radioactive fallout forms. Their experiments revealed that the way vaporized materials cool can dramatically change the particles that eventually form, especially for volatile elements like cesium.
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Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory recreated part of the intense chaos inside a nuclear fireball to better understand how radioactive fallout forms. Their experiments revealed that the way vaporized materials cool can dramatically change the particles that eventually form, especially for volatile elements like cesium.
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Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory recreated part of the intense chaos inside a nuclear fireball to better understand how radioactive fallout forms.
Sciencedaily
Jun 3, 15:01
Venus will disappear behind the Moon in a rare June sky event
June's night sky delivers several must-see events, starting with a close encounter between Venus and Jupiter after sunset. Mercury joins the pair to form a rare three-planet lineup, while the Moon puts on a special show by passing in front of Venus for viewers in parts of the Americas. The month also marks the start of astronomical summer and the return of spectacular deep-sky targets like the Ring Nebula and Veil Nebula.
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Venus will disappear behind the Moon in a rare June sky event. Mercury joins the pair to form a rare three-planet lineup, while the Moon puts on a special show by passing in front of Venus for viewers in parts of the Americas. The month also marks the start of astronomical summer and the return of spectacular deep-sky targets like the Ring Nebula and Veil Nebula.
TL;DR:
June's night sky delivers several must-see events, starting with a close encounter between Venus and Jupiter after sunset.
Quantamagazine
Jun 3, 14:34
Entanglement Builds Space-Time. Now “Magic” Gives It Gravity.
In holographic theories, physicists may have traced the pliability of space-time to its quantum roots: a measure of quantumness known as “magic.” The post Entanglement Builds Space-Time. Now “Magic” Gives It Gravity. first appeared on Quanta Magazine
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Now “Magic” Gives It Gravity.. Now “Magic” Gives It Gravity. first appeared on Quanta Magazine
TL;DR:
In holographic theories, physicists may have traced the pliability of space-time to its quantum roots: a measure of quantumness known as “magic.” The post Entanglement Builds Space-Time.
Sciencedaily
Jun 3, 13:08
Brain scans reveal two distinct types of autism
Scientists have uncovered evidence that autism may include at least two biologically distinct subtypes, each marked by a different pattern of brain communication. By combining brain scans from nearly 1,000 people with autism with insights from 20 genetically engineered mouse models, researchers identified a “hyperconnectivity” subtype, where brain regions communicate more than usual, and a “hypoconnectivity” subtype, where communication is reduced.
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Scientists have uncovered evidence that autism may include at least two biologically distinct subtypes, each marked by a different pattern of brain communication. By combining brain scans from nearly 1,000 people with autism with insights from 20 genetically engineered mouse models, researchers identified a “hyperconnectivity” subtype, where brain regions communicate more than…
TL;DR:
Scientists have uncovered evidence that autism may include at least two biologically distinct subtypes, each marked by a different pattern of brain communication.
Sciencedaily
Jun 3, 13:08
Scientists confirm a deep earthquake that shouldn't exist
Scientists have confirmed that a mysterious Utah earthquake first detected in 1979 really did occur nearly 90 kilometers underground—far deeper than anyone thought earthquakes could happen beneath a continent. By reanalyzing decades of seismic data, researchers identified a rare class of "continental mantle earthquakes" occurring deep in Earth’s upper mantle, where rock is expected to slowly flow rather than suddenly break.
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Scientists have confirmed that a mysterious Utah earthquake first detected in 1979 really did occur nearly 90 kilometers underground—far deeper than anyone thought earthquakes could happen beneath a continent.
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Scientists have confirmed that a mysterious Utah earthquake first detected in 1979 really did occur nearly 90 kilometers underground—far deeper than anyone thought earthquakes could happen beneath a continent.
Sciencedaily
Jun 3, 13:08
New discovery upends an 80-year-old theory of turbulence
Researchers discovered a way to reverse the direction of energy flow in turbulence, challenging a theory that has stood for more than 80 years. The finding could open new possibilities for controlling ocean currents, improving medical technologies, and enhancing climate forecasting.
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New discovery upends an 80-year-old theory of turbulence. Researchers discovered a way to reverse the direction of energy flow in turbulence, challenging a theory that has stood for more than 80 years. The finding could open new possibilities for controlling ocean currents, improving medical technologies, and enhancing climate forecasting.
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Researchers discovered a way to reverse the direction of energy flow in turbulence, challenging a theory that has stood for more than 80 years.
Sciencedaily
Jun 3, 13:08
Scientists discovered something surprising about french fries and diabetes
French fries may be the real potato problem. A large study tracking more than 205,000 people for nearly 40 years found that eating three servings of fries per week was linked to a 20% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, while baked, boiled, or mashed potatoes showed no significant increase in risk. The research also found that swapping potatoes for whole grains lowered diabetes risk, while replacing them with white rice had the opposite effect.
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Scientists discovered something surprising about french fries and diabetes. French fries may be the real potato problem. A large study tracking more than 205,000 people for nearly 40 years found that eating three servings of fries per week was linked to a 20% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, while baked, boiled, or mashed potatoes showed no significant increase in ri…
TL;DR:
The research also found that swapping potatoes for whole grains lowered diabetes risk, while replacing them with white rice had the opposite effect.
Sciencedaily
Jun 3, 13:08
Scientists reverse anxiety by fixing a tiny brain circuit
A newly identified group of amygdala neurons appears to play a central role in anxiety and social behavior. Restoring normal activity in this tiny brain circuit reversed anxiety and social deficits in mice, revealing a promising new target for future treatments.
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Scientists reverse anxiety by fixing a tiny brain circuit. A newly identified group of amygdala neurons appears to play a central role in anxiety and social behavior. Restoring normal activity in this tiny brain circuit reversed anxiety and social deficits in mice, revealing a promising new target for future treatments.
TL;DR:
A newly identified group of amygdala neurons appears to play a central role in anxiety and social behavior.
Sciencedaily
Jun 3, 13:08
This new diabetes pill burns fat without the downsides of Ozempic
Scientists have developed an experimental diabetes and obesity pill that works in a completely different way from drugs like Ozempic. Rather than reducing hunger, it activates metabolism in skeletal muscle, helping lower blood sugar and increase fat burning while preserving muscle mass. Early clinical results suggest the treatment is safe and well tolerated.
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This new diabetes pill burns fat without the downsides of Ozempic. Rather than reducing hunger, it activates metabolism in skeletal muscle, helping lower blood sugar and increase fat burning while preserving muscle mass. Early clinical results suggest the treatment is safe and well tolerated.
TL;DR:
Scientists have developed an experimental diabetes and obesity pill that works in a completely different way from drugs like Ozempic.
Sciencedaily
Jun 3, 13:08
A child's tooth and strange green stones uncover a 5,500-year-old mystery
An ancient mountain cave in the Pyrenees may have served as one of the earliest high-altitude mining camps ever discovered, with evidence of repeated visits spanning thousands of years. The find becomes even more intriguing with the discovery of a child’s remains and clues that deeper excavations could uncover prehistoric burials.
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An ancient mountain cave in the Pyrenees may have served as one of the earliest high-altitude mining camps ever discovered, with evidence of repeated visits spanning thousands of years. The find becomes even more intriguing with the discovery of a child’s remains and clues that deeper excavations could uncover prehistoric burials.
TL;DR:
An ancient mountain cave in the Pyrenees may have served as one of the earliest high-altitude mining camps ever discovered, with evidence of repeated visits spanning thousands of years.
Bbc
Jun 3, 12:15
Bathing warning issued after 'potential water pollution incident'
The National Trust, which manages Portstewart Strand, has urged visitors to the beach to be vigilant.
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Bathing warning issued after 'potential water pollution incident'. The National Trust, which manages Portstewart Strand, has urged visitors to the beach to be vigilant.
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The National Trust, which manages Portstewart Strand, has urged visitors to the beach to be vigilant.
Theguardian
Jun 3, 09:00
The doctor who mends broken brains: why there is room for hope after a stroke or head injury
The neurologist Orlando Swayne doesn’t suggest everyone can recover. But he does argue that early, targeted and intense therapy can sometimes bring about life-changing improvements – and we have a moral obligation to provide it Claire was in bad shape. She had been brought to the ward on a stretcher and hoisted on to a bed where she lay curled up in a ball. She was unable to speak, her eyes flat and face expressionless. While she could move her right arm a little, her left arm and both legs were immobile. Life had changed dramatically for Claire, a mother of three in her late 30s, many months earlier, when she collapsed while on a night out with friends. A weakness in an artery at the base of her brain had ruptured, spilling blood around her frontal lobe. She was taken to hospital, where surgeons removed two side plate-sized pieces of bone from her skull to relieve the pressure on her brain. She spent months in intensive care. Continue reading...
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The doctor who mends broken brains: why there is room for hope after a stroke or head injury. But he does argue that early, targeted and intense therapy can sometimes bring about life-changing improvements – and we have a moral obligation to provide it Claire was in bad shape.
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While she could move her right arm a little, her left arm and both legs were immobile.
Theguardian
Jun 3, 05:00
Specieswatch: Scientists trace haunting sea thrums to humpback whales
Understanding whale sounds could help prevent strikes from ships and even aid in search for extraterrestrial life If you stand on certain shorelines and listen carefully you might just hear deep rumbling noises. Sharp-eared fishers, lighthouse keepers and sea kayakers have been haunted by these late-night sounds for centuries and now, for the first time, scientists have recorded these thrums and pinpointed them to humpback whales, proving that whales have a far larger vocabulary than previously thought. Fred Sharpe from the Alaska Whale Foundation and his colleagues set up land-based microphones to tune in to the mysterious ocean noises. Tip-offs from Alaskan coastal communities helped to narrow down the best recording locations. Along with the previously documented trumpets, blows and shrieks that humpback whales make, the researchers recorded very low frequency rumbles, a bit like distant thunder, and new sounds including pizzle, howl and hooting noises. The night thrums travelled through the air and could be heard up to 6 miles (10km) away. Continue reading...
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Specieswatch: Scientists trace haunting sea thrums to humpback whales. Sharp-eared fishers, lighthouse keepers and sea kayakers have been haunted by these late-night sounds for centuries and now, for the first time, scientists have recorded these thrums and pinpointed them to humpback whales, proving that whales have a far larger vocabulary than previously thought.
TL;DR:
Understanding whale sounds could help prevent strikes from ships and even aid in search for extraterrestrial life If you stand on certain shorelines and listen carefully you might just hear deep rumbling noises.
Arstechnica
Jun 2, 19:54
Experiments reveal that Neanderthals used rhino teeth as hammers
Neanderthals had some wild stuff in their toolkits.
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Experiments reveal that Neanderthals used rhino teeth as hammers. Neanderthals had some wild stuff in their toolkits.
TL;DR:
Neanderthals had some wild stuff in their toolkits.
Hpcalcs
Jun 2, 19:02
HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C
zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom Full Screen 16c-front "> IMG_6423 "> IMG_6412 "> IMG_6419 "> 16c-lifestyle "> IMG_6506 "> HP 16c Collector’s Edition Category Collector's Editions Buy now After more than 35…
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HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C. It preserves the intelligent design and power of the original model while introducing refined improvements for modern users. The HP 16c Collector’s Edition retains the familiar layout and design of the classic HP 16c but is now up to 100x faster .
TL;DR:
zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom Full Screen 16c-front "> IMG_6423 "> IMG_6412 "> IMG_6419 "> 16c-lifestyle "> IMG_6506 "> HP 16c Collector’s Edition Category Collector's Editions Buy now After more than 35 years, the HP 16c – the legendary programmer’s calculator – returns in the Collector’s Edition.
Arstechnica
Jun 2, 19:02
Judge blocks part of Trump admin's effort to hurt Colorado research center
The National Center for Atmospheric Research won't be losing its supercomputer.
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Judge blocks part of Trump admin's effort to hurt Colorado research center. The National Center for Atmospheric Research won't be losing its supercomputer.
TL;DR:
The National Center for Atmospheric Research won't be losing its supercomputer.
Newscientist
Jun 2, 19:00
Why you need to future proof your brain in middle age and how to start
Ages 40 to 65 see a period of turmoil in the brain that has previously been overlooked. But identifying problems during this time can protect your cognitive health for decades to come
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Why you need to future proof your brain in middle age and how to start. Ages 40 to 65 see a period of turmoil in the brain that has previously been overlooked. But identifying problems during this time can protect your cognitive health for decades to come
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Ages 40 to 65 see a period of turmoil in the brain that has previously been overlooked.
Newscientist
Jun 2, 19:00
How the electromagnetic spectrum opened our eyes to the universe
Our understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum goes back to Isaac Newton, but astronomers are still finding new ways to employ it. Astrophysicist Emma Chapman explores how much these invisible waves can reveal to us about the cosmos – and whether they might show us that we’re not alone
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How the electromagnetic spectrum opened our eyes to the universe. Our understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum goes back to Isaac Newton, but astronomers are still finding new ways to employ it. Astrophysicist Emma Chapman explores how much these invisible waves can reveal to us about the cosmos – and whether they might show us that we’re not alone
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Our understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum goes back to Isaac Newton, but astronomers are still finding new ways to employ it.
Newscientist
Jun 2, 17:30
The best new popular science books of June 2026
The most exciting popular science reads this month explore everything from symbiosis to hormones, while Alice Roberts takes on an editor-in-chief role in her latest book
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This is a month to look out for some powerful new books, with authors taking on challenges of all sorts and imagining whole new worlds. She worked with a generous-sized international team of experts in many fields of human evolution, including archaeology, palaeontology, anthropology and cognitive science.
TL;DR:
The most exciting popular science reads this month explore everything from symbiosis to hormones, while Alice Roberts takes on an editor-in-chief role in her latest book
Newscientist
Jun 2, 17:00
Hidden store of manganese may have helped Earth get its oxygen
Computer simulations have uncovered a new manganese compound that could exist deep in Earth’s mantle and may be connected to the process that gave our atmosphere oxygen
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Computer simulations have uncovered a new manganese compound that could exist deep in Earth’s mantle and may be connected to the process that gave our atmosphere oxygen
Arstechnica
Jun 2, 16:05
In a surprise launch, China debuts another big rocket designed for reusability
There are sound engineering reasons to use the same approach SpaceX uses with the Falcon 9
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In a surprise launch, China debuts another big rocket designed for reusability. There are sound engineering reasons to use the same approach SpaceX uses with the Falcon 9
TL;DR:
There are sound engineering reasons to use the same approach SpaceX uses with the Falcon 9
Bbc
Jun 2, 14:50
Next El Niño could be strongest in decades
A new phase of the natural El Niño weather pattern could begin in a matter of weeks, the UN has warned, boosting temperatures on a planet already under strain from climate change.
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A new phase of the natural El Niño weather pattern could begin in a matter of weeks, the UN has warned, boosting temperatures on a planet already under strain from climate change.
Sciencedaily
Jun 2, 13:55
This blood-feeding fly sacrifices its sight after finding a host
Deer keds rely on flight and vision to find a host, but everything changes once they land. After shedding their wings forever, these parasites reduce the activity of key vision-related genes by about half. Scientists believe they are effectively trading sharp eyesight for extra energy that can be used for feeding and reproduction.
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This blood-feeding fly sacrifices its sight after finding a host. After shedding their wings forever, these parasites reduce the activity of key vision-related genes by about half. Scientists believe they are effectively trading sharp eyesight for extra energy that can be used for feeding and reproduction.
TL;DR:
Deer keds rely on flight and vision to find a host, but everything changes once they land.
Sciencedaily
Jun 2, 13:55
A single protein may be holding back CAR T cancer therapy
A newly identified protein may be one of the biggest obstacles holding CAR T-cell therapy back. Researchers found that NFIL3 causes these engineered immune cells to become exhausted and lose their cancer-fighting power over time. When NFIL3 was disabled, the cells remained stronger for longer and controlled tumors more effectively in animal models.
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A single protein may be holding back CAR T cancer therapy. Researchers found that NFIL3 causes these engineered immune cells to become exhausted and lose their cancer-fighting power over time. When NFIL3 was disabled, the cells remained stronger for longer and controlled tumors more effectively in animal models.
TL;DR:
A newly identified protein may be one of the biggest obstacles holding CAR T-cell therapy back.
Newscientist
Jun 2, 13:30
New Scientist recommends Togetherness, a radical new view of life
An exploration of how biological cooperation underpins all life - and why we’ve overlooked its power until now - makes thrilling reading, finds Penny Sarchet
TL;DR:
An exploration of how biological cooperation underpins all life - and why we’ve overlooked its power until now - makes thrilling reading, finds Penny Sarchet
Theguardian
Jun 2, 12:00
Weight-loss drugs can cut breast cancer risk by up to 30%, studies suggest
Three studies add to evidence that jabs could be part of cancer-fighting toolkit to cut risk of developing or dying from disease Weight-loss drugs can cut the risk of developing or dying from cancer by 30%, doctors have said. Millions of people already use the drugs to treat obesity. Now a series of studies presented at the world’s largest oncology conference suggest the drugs could play a role in preventing and treating cancer. Continue reading...
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Weight-loss drugs can cut breast cancer risk by up to 30%, studies suggest. Millions of people already use the drugs to treat obesity. Now a series of studies presented at the world’s largest oncology conference suggest the drugs could play a role in preventing and treating cancer.
TL;DR:
Three studies add to evidence that jabs could be part of cancer-fighting toolkit to cut risk of developing or dying from disease Weight-loss drugs can cut the risk of developing or dying from cancer by 30%, doctors have said.
Sciencedaily
Jun 2, 10:23
Your brain starts making social decisions before you do
Researchers found that social behavior begins in the brain before it becomes visible as movement. In zebrafish, a coordinated pattern of activity spread across the brain several seconds before the animals approached another fish. A higher brain region called the pallium played a key role, and fish with stronger neural signals were generally more social.
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Your brain starts making social decisions before you do. In zebrafish, a coordinated pattern of activity spread across the brain several seconds before the animals approached another fish. A higher brain region called the pallium played a key role, and fish with stronger neural signals were generally more social.
TL;DR:
Researchers found that social behavior begins in the brain before it becomes visible as movement.
Sciencedaily
Jun 2, 10:23
A stellar “Rosetta stone” reveals the source of mysterious cosmic signals
Astronomers have finally cracked the mystery behind a strange class of repeating cosmic signals that has baffled scientists for years. Using Australia’s ASKAP radio telescope, researchers traced the bursts to a rare stellar duo in which a dense white dwarf is relentlessly siphoning material from a nearby red dwarf companion. As the stolen matter spirals inward, the system unleashes powerful radio waves and X-rays every 1.4 hours.
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A stellar “Rosetta stone” reveals the source of mysterious cosmic signals. Using Australia’s ASKAP radio telescope, researchers traced the bursts to a rare stellar duo in which a dense white dwarf is relentlessly siphoning material from a nearby red dwarf companion. As the stolen matter spirals inward, the system unleashes powerful radio waves and X-rays every 1.4 hours.
TL;DR:
Astronomers have finally cracked the mystery behind a strange class of repeating cosmic signals that has baffled scientists for years.
Bbc
Jun 2, 05:07
Water voles brought back to river after 20 years
About 300 water voles are released in Farnham as part of a bid to restore the species to the river.
TL;DR:
About 300 water voles are released in Farnham as part of a bid to restore the species to the river.
Theguardian
Jun 2, 05:00
British Paralympian could be first astronaut with physical disability to live in orbit
John McFall prepares for mission to Haven-1 space station after UK Space Agency signs deal with US startup Vast A British Paralympian and surgeon could become the first person with a physical disability to live in orbit after the government signed a deal with a US company that is building a small commercial space station. John McFall, a member of the European Space Agency (Esa) astronaut reserve, was cleared for activities in orbit last year and could take part in a mission to the Haven-1 space station soon after its proposed launch in 2027. Continue reading...
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John McFall prepares for mission to Haven-1 space station after UK Space Agency signs deal with US startup Vast A British Paralympian and surgeon could become the first person with a physical disability to live in orbit after the government signed a deal with a US company that is building a small commercial space station.
TL;DR:
John McFall prepares for mission to Haven-1 space station after UK Space Agency signs deal with US startup Vast A British Paralympian and surgeon could become the first person with a physical disability to live in orbit after the government signed a deal with a US company that is building a small commercial space station.
Theguardian
Jun 2, 04:00
‘They take you out of life, out of time’: a journey into Spain’s astonishing cave paintings
For tens of thousands of years, these Palaeolithic artworks were unseen. When they were rediscovered, onlookers marvelled at their vivid beauty. One of the world’s leading experts took me up close The aurochs, the mammoth and the steppe bison are long extinct, but their painted likenesses still look relatively fresh across the walls and roofs of Altamira. Or so said Diego Garate Maidagan, who is one of the very few humans allowed to enter that exalted cave in northern Spain. I met Garate last summer in a small Basque village called Gautegiz Arteaga. A professor of prehistory and Palaeolithic art at the University of Cantabria, he told me he’d been inside Altamira as recently as the week before, furthering his lifelong investigations of the prep work, tools and methodologies developed by early Homo sapiens painters. Continue reading...
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‘They take you out of life, out of time’: a journey into Spain’s astonishing cave paintings. One of the world’s leading experts took me up close The aurochs, the mammoth and the steppe bison are long extinct, but their painted likenesses still look relatively fresh across the walls and roofs of Altamira.
TL;DR:
For tens of thousands of years, these Palaeolithic artworks were unseen.
Theguardian
Jun 2, 04:00
The incredible science of the sleeping brain – podcast
Humans have been wondering why we sleep for thousands of years. Is sleep’s purpose rest and relaxation, memory consolidation or maybe cognitive processing? In the last 15 years, scientists have discovered another possible explanation – waste disposal. In 2012 neuroscientist Maiken Nedergaard’s lab discovered that the brain has its own cleaning process, the glymphatic system, which clears away unhelpful proteins and metabolic byproducts, and only switches on at night. Since that groundbreaking discovery we’ve learned more about what drives this system and, importantly, how it could be impacting dementia. To understand more, Ian Sample talks to Prof Nedergaard about how she made the original discovery and how subsequent work is building a picture of sleep as anything but a quiet and inactive state The battle to boost our deep sleep – and help stop dementia Support the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod Continue reading...
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The incredible science of the sleeping brain – podcast. In the last 15 years, scientists have discovered another possible explanation – waste disposal. Since that groundbreaking discovery we’ve learned more about what drives this system and, importantly, how it could be impacting dementia.
TL;DR:
Humans have been wondering why we sleep for thousands of years.
Arstechnica
Jun 1, 21:38
Research roundup: 7 cool science stories we almost missed
Prehistoric mining in the Pyrenees, a new species of tiny blue octopus, slapstick acoustics, and more.
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Research roundup: 7 cool science stories we almost missed. Prehistoric mining in the Pyrenees, a new species of tiny blue octopus, slapstick acoustics, and more.
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Prehistoric mining in the Pyrenees, a new species of tiny blue octopus, slapstick acoustics, and more.
Theguardian
Jun 1, 20:08
Debugging: Google requests permission to release 32m mosquitoes in California and Florida
Company asks US government to release army of sterile male mosquitoes to lower number of illness-spreading bugs Google wants to “stop bad bugs with good bugs”, and it’s not talking about coding. The tech company has asked the US government for permission to release up to 32 million sterilized mosquitoes in California and Florida. As part of its successful “Debug” program , Google is tapping into its tech expertise to raise an army of sterile male mosquitoes to lower the number of illness-spreading bugs. Mosquitoes – the world’s deadliest animal – kill more people than any other creature in the world every year by spreading lethal diseases like dengue, West Nile virus, Zika, chikungunya and malaria. Continue reading...
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Debugging: Google requests permission to release 32m mosquitoes in California and Florida. The tech company has asked the US government for permission to release up to 32 million sterilized mosquitoes in California and Florida.
TL;DR:
Company asks US government to release army of sterile male mosquitoes to lower number of illness-spreading bugs Google wants to “stop bad bugs with good bugs”, and it’s not talking about coding.
Theguardian
Jun 1, 19:00
Scientists uncover Feynman’s formula for finding best holiday restaurant
Late physicist turned issue of when to stop searching for a better place to eat into mathematical problem When it comes to exploring a new city, it can be tricky to know when to stop searching for a different restaurant to try every night, or to visit the first place you love on repeat. Now researchers have found that the late physicist and Nobel laureate Richard Feynman devised a mathematical equation that can tackle the conundrum – at least when the range of options is known – and they believe the approach is similar to tactics people use intuitively. Continue reading...
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Late physicist turned issue of when to stop searching for a better place to eat into mathematical problem When it comes to exploring a new city, it can be tricky to know when to stop searching for a different restaurant to try every night, or to visit the first place you love on repeat.
TL;DR:
Late physicist turned issue of when to stop searching for a better place to eat into mathematical problem When it comes to exploring a new city, it can be tricky to know when to stop searching for a different restaurant to try every night, or to visit the first place you love on repeat.
Newscientist
Jun 1, 18:14
Do turmeric and curcumin have any actual health benefits?
Turmeric is heralded for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, but columnist Alice Klein finds that the evidence for this is shaky. Taking high doses of its curcumin extract in supplement form can be risky
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Do turmeric and curcumin have any actual health benefits?. Turmeric is heralded for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, but columnist Alice Klein finds that the evidence for this is shaky. Taking high doses of its curcumin extract in supplement form can be risky
TL;DR:
Turmeric is heralded for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, but columnist Alice Klein finds that the evidence for this is shaky.
Theguardian
Jun 1, 17:19
Cancer is now a story of the good, the bad and the ugly – but also hope | Devi Sridhar
It’s natural to focus on breakthroughs, but there are many challenges in Britain and around the world. There is no magic bullet, but there’s room for optimism Cancer causes nearly one in six deaths worldwide every year , some 10 million all told. That is a stunning number, but it also masks the reality that some cancers are more deadly than others. We have become remarkably good at detecting and treating melanoma and prostate cancer , for example, and today five-year survival rates for those cancers are well over 90% in most rich countries. Others, such as pancreatic cancer, are more difficult. In the UK, just over one in 20 people with pancreatic cancer are still alive five years after diagnosis. That is why a new drug for pancreatic cancer, called daraxonrasib and announced at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (Asco) annual meeting in Chicago at the weekend, has been met with such jubilation. The drug – taken as a pill once a day – doubled the survival time of those enrolled in a 500-person trial, with fewer side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy. The drug works by shutting down a protein, Kras, that causes cancer cells to grow and divide. One longtime cancer researcher reported that she cried reading the results. With so few effective treatments for this cancer available, the drug is likely to be a real game-changer. Continue reading...
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Cancer is now a story of the good, the bad and the ugly – but also hope | Devi Sridhar. In the UK, just over one in 20 people with pancreatic cancer are still alive five years after diagnosis. One longtime cancer researcher reported that she cried reading the results.
TL;DR:
Others, such as pancreatic cancer, are more difficult.
Theguardian
Jun 1, 17:00
‘I was getting ready to say goodbye’: cancer patient’s hope after smart drug success
Pat Brogan preparing to walk his daughter down the aisle after trial of treatment designed to stop disease from hiding • Smart drug that strips cancer cells of ‘invisibility cloak’ can shrink tumours by 30%, trial shows One of the first patients to benefit from a pioneering smart drug that appears to melt away the “invisibility cloak” that can shield cancer cells from treatment is Pat Brogan, from Cowdenbeath, Scotland. The 68-year-old, whose tumours have shrunk by almost a third, is preparing to walk his daughter down the aisle this month and holiday in Spain with his wife, Linda – milestones he once feared he would never reach. Continue reading...
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Pat Brogan preparing to walk his daughter down the aisle after trial of treatment designed to stop disease from hiding • Smart drug that strips cancer cells of ‘invisibility cloak’ can shrink tumours by 30%, trial shows One of the first patients to benefit from a pioneering smart drug that appears to melt away the “invisibility cloak” that can shield cancer cells from treatmen…
TL;DR:
Pat Brogan preparing to walk his daughter down the aisle after trial of treatment designed to stop disease from hiding • Smart drug that strips cancer cells of ‘invisibility cloak’ can shrink tumours by 30%, trial shows One of the first patients to benefit from a pioneering smart drug that appears to melt away the “invisibility cloak” that can shield cancer cells from treatment is Pat Brogan, from Cowdenbeath, Scotland.
Theguardian
Jun 1, 17:00
Smart drug that strips cancer cells of ‘invisibility cloak’ can shrink tumours by 30%, trial shows
Experimental tablet produces encouraging results in patients with world’s most common forms of disease • ‘I was getting ready to say goodbye’: patient’s hope after smart drug success A smart drug that stops cancer cells “hiding” from treatment can shrink tumours by at least 30% in six of the world’s most common forms of the disease, early trial results show. While immunotherapy treatments have improved survival rates for many patients, their effectiveness can stall or fail when tumour cells hide and then spread. Continue reading...
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Experimental tablet produces encouraging results in patients with world’s most common forms of disease • ‘I was getting ready to say goodbye’: patient’s hope after smart drug success A smart drug that stops cancer cells “hiding” from treatment can shrink tumours by at least 30% in six of the world’s most common forms of the disease, early trial results show.
TL;DR:
Experimental tablet produces encouraging results in patients with world’s most common forms of disease • ‘I was getting ready to say goodbye’: patient’s hope after smart drug success A smart drug that stops cancer cells “hiding” from treatment can shrink tumours by at least 30% in six of the world’s most common forms of the disease, early trial results show.
Quantamagazine
Jun 1, 14:44
The Dirt That Refused To Die
Lifelike biochemistry continued to unfold in sterilized soil for six years, pointing to a metabolic theory for how biology began. The post The Dirt That Refused To Die first appeared on Quanta Magazine
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The Dirt That Refused To Die. Lifelike biochemistry continued to unfold in sterilized soil for six years, pointing to a metabolic theory for how biology began. The post The Dirt That Refused To Die first appeared on Quanta Magazine
TL;DR:
Lifelike biochemistry continued to unfold in sterilized soil for six years, pointing to a metabolic theory for how biology began.
Bbc
Jun 1, 14:33
Wildlife Park welcomes mischievous bush dogs
Four bush dogs are the newest mischievous residents at Lake District Wildlife Park.
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Four bush dogs are the newest mischievous residents at Lake District Wildlife Park.
Newscientist
Jun 1, 13:00
Huge study of Alzheimer’s genetics identifies new drug targets
Almost 50 more genes have been flagged as being linked to Alzheimer’s, along with changes in activity in crucial cells that disappear as dementia progresses
TL;DR:
Almost 50 more genes have been flagged as being linked to Alzheimer’s, along with changes in activity in crucial cells that disappear as dementia progresses
Sciencedaily
Jun 1, 12:54
Scientists discover inherited traits that break Mendel’s Laws of genetics
A major mouse study found that some inherited traits are passed down through epigenetic changes that break the classic rules of genetics. Researchers discovered hundreds of cases where these chemical DNA marks behaved unexpectedly, including some that seemed to emerge out of nowhere. They also identified the first known naturally occurring paramutation in a mammal, hinting that environmental influences may play a larger role in inheritance than scientists realized.
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Scientists discover inherited traits that break Mendel’s Laws of genetics. Researchers discovered hundreds of cases where these chemical DNA marks behaved unexpectedly, including some that seemed to emerge out of nowhere.
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A major mouse study found that some inherited traits are passed down through epigenetic changes that break the classic rules of genetics.
Arstechnica
Jun 1, 11:00
OpenAI’s math breakthrough played to AI’s strengths
I tried to explain OpenAI’s solution more clearly than OpenAI did.
TL;DR:
I tried to explain OpenAI’s solution more clearly than OpenAI did.
Bbc
Jun 1, 10:44
Night sky events to watch out for this summer
The Milky Way, the Summer triangle, eclipses and a meteor shower can all be seen over the next few months.
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The Milky Way, the Summer triangle, eclipses and a meteor shower can all be seen over the next few months.
Sciencedaily
Jun 1, 09:31
The forgotten organ that could predict how long you live
A long-overlooked organ may hold surprising clues to healthy aging and cancer survival. Researchers at Mass General Brigham used AI to analyze CT scans from tens of thousands of adults and found that people with healthier thymuses—a small immune-system organ once thought to become largely irrelevant after childhood—lived longer and had substantially lower risks of heart disease, cancer, and death.
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The forgotten organ that could predict how long you live. A long-overlooked organ may hold surprising clues to healthy aging and cancer survival. Researchers at Mass General Brigham used AI to analyze CT scans from tens of thousands of adults and found that people with healthier thymuses—a small immune-system organ once thought to become largely irrelevant after childhood—live…
TL;DR:
A long-overlooked organ may hold surprising clues to healthy aging and cancer survival.
Newscientist
Jun 1, 09:00
Geoengineering can thicken Arctic sea ice, but for how long?
Two companies are aiming to preserve Arctic ice by pumping water onto the sheet and letting it freeze, but only one of the trials found that this delayed melting in the summer
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Two companies are aiming to preserve Arctic ice by pumping water onto the sheet and letting it freeze, but only one of the trials found that this delayed melting in the summer
Theguardian
Jun 1, 09:00
Big gains for little terns: how Lindisfarne reserve is helping a rare bird survive tourism
Seasonal wardens and netted fences are helping protect the rare ground-nesting birds that arrive each spring on the UK’s shores On Ross Sands in Northumberland, a little tern has caught sight of a group of people and is sprinting across the beach. “It wants us to follow it,” says Andrew Craggs, senior manager at Lindisfarne national nature reserve . “It’s a diversionary thing – it’s got a scrape and it wants to take us away because it thinks we’re predators.” Craggs is no predator, and he’s not after the scrape – a small pit the ground-nesting bird has dug into the sand to lay its eggs. He is a guardian of these little birds, as well as more than 3,500 hectares (8,600 acres) of sand dunes, saltmarsh and mudflats that make up this tranquil nature reserve perched on the tip of England’s north-east coast. Continue reading...
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Big gains for little terns: how Lindisfarne reserve is helping a rare bird survive tourism. “It wants us to follow it,” says Andrew Craggs, senior manager at Lindisfarne national nature reserve . “It’s a diversionary thing – it’s got a scrape and it wants to take us away because it thinks we’re predators.
TL;DR:
Seasonal wardens and netted fences are helping protect the rare ground-nesting birds that arrive each spring on the UK’s shores On Ross Sands in Northumberland, a little tern has caught sight of a group of people and is sprinting across the beach.
Theguardian
Jun 1, 08:00
Bonnie & Clive review – cheerfully ridiculous Covid road trip
Bonnie has two days to get from south London to her grandparents’ house in Cornwall before lockdown in this super low budget British comedy No offence to any Clives reading, but the intentionally naff title of this film does not inspire confidence – and turns out to be indicative of the cheerful ridiculousness of this super low budget British comedy. It is about a trio of twentysomethings on a road trip to Cornwall at the start of one of the Covid lockdowns; from the outtakes and behind the scenes clips that run over the end credits, everyone involved clearly had a blast making it. But that enjoyment doesn’t spill on to the screen – and the whimsical songs accompanied by a ukulele wear thin in less than half a minute. Eleanor May Blackburn is Bonnie, who has two days to get to her grandparents’ house in Cornwall from south London before lockdown. Just as she is about to hit the road, Bonnie meets homeless busker Clive (Michael Kodi Farrow) and offers to buy him a kebab. But when her credit card is declined at the till, she rushes out without paying, leaving Clive to perform a stickup with his ukulele case to the bemusement of the kebab shop owner. Continue reading...
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Bonnie & Clive review – cheerfully ridiculous Covid road trip. It is about a trio of twentysomethings on a road trip to Cornwall at the start of one of the Covid lockdowns; from the outtakes and behind the scenes clips that run over the end credits, everyone involved clearly had a blast making it.
TL;DR:
Bonnie has two days to get from south London to her grandparents’ house in Cornwall before lockdown in this super low budget British comedy No offence to any Clives reading, but the intentionally naff title of this film does not inspire confidence – and turns out to be indicative of the cheerful ridiculousness of this super low budget British comedy.
Theguardian
Jun 1, 06:00
Striped rock dismissed as natural in 1928 reclassified as UK’s oldest cave art
Scientific dating proves streaks on walls of Bacon Hole, near the Mumbles in south Wales, is Palaeolithic rock art In 1912, the Guardian reported on the discovery of Palaeolithic rock art on the walls of Bacon Hole, a cave near the Mumbles in south Wales – only for the painted panel’s authenticity to be dismissed by 1928. A series of horizontal bands in red pigment were subsequently deemed no more than a natural phenomenon and the newspaper added an updated statement : “It was later established that the red streaks … turned out to be red oxide mineral seeping through the rock and not prehistoric art.” Continue reading...
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Scientific dating proves streaks on walls of Bacon Hole, near the Mumbles in south Wales, is Palaeolithic rock art In 1912, the Guardian reported on the discovery of Palaeolithic rock art on the walls of Bacon Hole, a cave near the Mumbles in south Wales – only for the painted panel’s authenticity to be dismissed by 1928.
TL;DR:
Scientific dating proves streaks on walls of Bacon Hole, near the Mumbles in south Wales, is Palaeolithic rock art In 1912, the Guardian reported on the discovery of Palaeolithic rock art on the walls of Bacon Hole, a cave near the Mumbles in south Wales – only for the painted panel’s authenticity to be dismissed by 1928.
Theguardian
Jun 1, 05:00
The enigmatic summer phenomenon shining from the edge of space
With no recorded sightings before 1885, noctilucent clouds have been linked to volcanoes, pollution or climate change As summer arrives in the northern hemisphere, so do the noctilucent clouds – hopefully. These high-altitude formations are as enigmatic as they are beautiful. Their name derives from Latin, meaning “night shining”. They appear during the summer months and glow with an electric-blue intensity against the darkening western sky. Look for them about half an hour after sunset. Continue reading...
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The enigmatic summer phenomenon shining from the edge of space. These high-altitude formations are as enigmatic as they are beautiful. They appear during the summer months and glow with an electric-blue intensity against the darkening western sky.
TL;DR:
With no recorded sightings before 1885, noctilucent clouds have been linked to volcanoes, pollution or climate change As summer arrives in the northern hemisphere, so do the noctilucent clouds – hopefully.
Theguardian
Jun 1, 04:00
Masturbation among birds is ‘natural’ and should not be punished, say experts
Study finds activity is not harmful or caused by stress of captivity – and is in fact more common in wild birds An investigation into acts of self-pleasure among parrots and other birds has reached a climax, with the results providing welcome relief for vets and researchers, not to mention the birds themselves. Bird keepers are often advised to discourage and even punish birds for masturbating, but the study found the activity was more common in the wild than in captivity, with researchers concluding it is part of a bird’s natural behaviour. Continue reading...
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Study finds activity is not harmful or caused by stress of captivity – and is in fact more common in wild birds An investigation into acts of self-pleasure among parrots and other birds has reached a climax, with the results providing welcome relief for vets and researchers, not to mention the birds themselves.
TL;DR:
Study finds activity is not harmful or caused by stress of captivity – and is in fact more common in wild birds An investigation into acts of self-pleasure among parrots and other birds has reached a climax, with the results providing welcome relief for vets and researchers, not to mention the birds themselves.
Phys
May 31, 23:31
Central Africa's wild meat dilemma: Why outright bans threaten food security for millions
Millions of people in central Africa rely on wild meat for their nutrition, especially in rural areas around the Congo rainforest, the second largest tropical rainforest in the world. Here, meat from domestic animals is scarce due to poor national transport infrastructure, livestock diseases, and lack of forage. As a result, wild meat and freshwater fish are the main animal foods and provide the proteins and micro-nutrients needed for a healthy diet.
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Central Africa's wild meat dilemma: Why outright bans threaten food security for millions. Here, meat from domestic animals is scarce due to poor national transport infrastructure, livestock diseases, and lack of forage. As a result, wild meat and freshwater fish are the main animal foods and provide the proteins and micro-nutrients needed for a healthy diet.
TL;DR:
Millions of people in central Africa rely on wild meat for their nutrition, especially in rural areas around the Congo rainforest, the second largest tropical rainforest in the world.
Phys
May 31, 23:31
A kohl bottle from York may hint at an ancient Egyptian in Roman-Britain
Ancient Egyptians are often depicted wearing black eyeliner, known as kohl, which was stored in small containers. While kohl containers are typically found throughout Egypt and Sudan (Nubia), their presence beyond these areas is limited to only a handful of examples.
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A kohl bottle from York may hint at an ancient Egyptian in Roman-Britain. Ancient Egyptians are often depicted wearing black eyeliner, known as kohl, which was stored in small containers. While kohl containers are typically found throughout Egypt and Sudan (Nubia), their presence beyond these areas is limited to only a handful of examples.
TL;DR:
Ancient Egyptians are often depicted wearing black eyeliner, known as kohl, which was stored in small containers.
Phys
May 31, 23:31
Legal reforms to stop abusive SLAPPs fail to stop chilling effect of the powerful, study warns
Legal reforms designed to curb the abusive use of "SLAPPs" are insufficient to stop the rich and powerful trying to block freedom of speech, a new study warns. Measures in the U.S., U.K. and the EU to stop strategic lawsuits against public participation do not address the deep-seated inadequacies in the law which have a chilling effect on journalists and whistleblowers, the research says.
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Legal reforms designed to curb the abusive use of "SLAPPs" are insufficient to stop the rich and powerful trying to block freedom of speech, a new study warns. Measures in the U.S., U.K. and the EU to stop strategic lawsuits against public participation do not address the deep-seated inadequacies in the law which have a chilling effect on journalists and whistleblowers, the re…
TL;DR:
Legal reforms designed to curb the abusive use of "SLAPPs" are insufficient to stop the rich and powerful trying to block freedom of speech, a new study warns.
Phys
May 31, 23:31
AI crosses catalyst boundaries to uncover new route for green hydrogen
Discovering new catalysts is one of the central challenges in developing clean-energy technologies such as green hydrogen production. Yet catalyst discovery has traditionally remained confined within individual material families, limiting researchers' ability to transfer knowledge across chemically distinct systems.
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Discovering new catalysts is one of the central challenges in developing clean-energy technologies such as green hydrogen production. Yet catalyst discovery has traditionally remained confined within individual material families, limiting researchers' ability to transfer knowledge across chemically distinct systems.
TL;DR:
Discovering new catalysts is one of the central challenges in developing clean-energy technologies such as green hydrogen production.
Phys
May 31, 23:31
In Senegal, a 2,000‑year‑old iron workshop sheds new light on the past
How was iron produced 2,000 years ago in Senegal? A recent study at the Didé West 1 archaeological site, in the Falémé Valley in eastern Senegal, sheds light on an ancient iron production technique.
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In Senegal, a 2,000‑year‑old iron workshop sheds new light on the past. How was iron produced 2,000 years ago in Senegal? A recent study at the Didé West 1 archaeological site, in the Falémé Valley in eastern Senegal, sheds light on an ancient iron production technique.
TL;DR:
How was iron produced 2,000 years ago in Senegal?
Phys
May 31, 23:31
Supermassive black holes could be the universe's biggest planet nurseries
Supermassive black holes are the largest known black holes in the universe, sitting at the center of most large galaxies. They are sometimes described as cosmic monsters because they feed on surrounding gas and dust when they are active, as well as destroy anything that gets too close. But their reputation could be due for a rethink, as a new paper published on the arXiv preprint server suggests they may also be the birthplace of millions of planets.
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Supermassive black holes could be the universe's biggest planet nurseries. They are sometimes described as cosmic monsters because they feed on surrounding gas and dust when they are active, as well as destroy anything that gets too close.
TL;DR:
Supermassive black holes are the largest known black holes in the universe, sitting at the center of most large galaxies.
Phys
May 31, 23:31
Leaf forces help steer stomata as young plants grow, experiments reveal
Scientists have uncovered how the interplay between cell shape and mechanical stress influences the orientation of stomata (microscopic pores on the leaf surface) during early plant development.
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Scientists have uncovered how the interplay between cell shape and mechanical stress influences the orientation of stomata (microscopic pores on the leaf surface) during early plant development.
Phys
May 31, 23:31
Bacteria uncover distinct strategy to import rare sugar polymers, crystal structures show
Even though sugars are often framed as simple sources of energy, they also serve as structurally complex and functionally diverse molecules that mediate interactions between organisms. Among these, β-1,2-glucans, which are a class of glucose-based polymers, stand out for their varied and sometimes subtle roles.
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Even though sugars are often framed as simple sources of energy, they also serve as structurally complex and functionally diverse molecules that mediate interactions between organisms. Among these, β-1,2-glucans, which are a class of glucose-based polymers, stand out for their varied and sometimes subtle roles.
TL;DR:
Even though sugars are often framed as simple sources of energy, they also serve as structurally complex and functionally diverse molecules that mediate interactions between organisms.
Phys
May 31, 23:31
What 'biodegradable' packaging really means—and three key questions to ask about it
"Biodegradable" has become one of the most reassuring words in modern packaging. It appears on coffee cups, shopping bags and food containers, implying a promise: this product is better for the environment because nature will eventually take care of it.
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What 'biodegradable' packaging really means—and three key questions to ask about it. "Biodegradable" has become one of the most reassuring words in modern packaging. It appears on coffee cups, shopping bags and food containers, implying a promise: this product is better for the environment because nature will eventually take care of it.
TL;DR:
"Biodegradable" has become one of the most reassuring words in modern packaging.
Phys
May 31, 23:31
Parasitic fly 'sacrifices sight' after finding host, study shows
Deer keds—biting flies found across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas—use their eyes and flight to locate a host, typically deer, but occasionally humans or other mammals. Once they land, however, they shed their wings permanently and spend the rest of their lives crawling through fur and feeding on blood.
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Parasitic fly 'sacrifices sight' after finding host, study shows. Deer keds—biting flies found across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas—use their eyes and flight to locate a host, typically deer, but occasionally humans or other mammals. Once they land, however, they shed their wings permanently and spend the rest of their lives crawling through fur and feeding on blood.
TL;DR:
Deer keds—biting flies found across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas—use their eyes and flight to locate a host, typically deer, but occasionally humans or other mammals.
Phys
May 31, 23:31
Record wildfire losses rocked 2025 even as global burned area neared all-time lows
A new analysis of global wildfire activity in 2025 reveals the world experienced some of the most destructive and deadly fire events in recent history, despite the second lowest area burned since 2002. It highlights a continued trend toward fires becoming increasingly extreme, costly, and disastrous—both economically and in lives lost.
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A new analysis of global wildfire activity in 2025 reveals the world experienced some of the most destructive and deadly fire events in recent history, despite the second lowest area burned since 2002. It highlights a continued trend toward fires becoming increasingly extreme, costly, and disastrous—both economically and in lives lost.
TL;DR:
A new analysis of global wildfire activity in 2025 reveals the world experienced some of the most destructive and deadly fire events in recent history, despite the second lowest area burned since 2002.
Phys
May 31, 23:31
Biopolymer-based hydrogel formulations for improved seed coating performance
As climate change, soil degradation, and water scarcity place growing pressure on agriculture, scientists are looking for new ways to help crops germinate and grow more efficiently while reducing environmental impact. A new study involving researchers from Nazarbayev University's National Laboratory Astana published in Scientific Reports proposes a promising solution: biodegradable hydrogel coatings made from natural polymers.
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As climate change, soil degradation, and water scarcity place growing pressure on agriculture, scientists are looking for new ways to help crops germinate and grow more efficiently while reducing environmental impact.
TL;DR:
As climate change, soil degradation, and water scarcity place growing pressure on agriculture, scientists are looking for new ways to help crops germinate and grow more efficiently while reducing environmental impact.
Sciencedaily
May 31, 14:34
New solar desalination breakthrough makes fresh water without toxic brine
Scientists have developed a solar desalination system that turns seawater into drinking water without creating environmentally damaging brine. Special laser-textured metal panels use sunlight to evaporate water while automatically moving salt deposits away from the working surface, preventing clogging. The process was successfully tested with water from three oceans and can recover nearly all salts as solids. Those leftover materials could even become a source of valuable lithium for batteries.
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New solar desalination breakthrough makes fresh water without toxic brine. The process was successfully tested with water from three oceans and can recover nearly all salts as solids. Those leftover materials could even become a source of valuable lithium for batteries.
TL;DR:
Scientists have developed a solar desalination system that turns seawater into drinking water without creating environmentally damaging brine.
Sciencedaily
May 31, 14:34
Chimpanzees and bonobos have human-like friend circles, study finds
Great apes appear to build friendships much like humans do. By studying grooming behavior, researchers discovered that chimpanzees and bonobos form close inner circles along with wider networks of weaker social connections. Chimpanzees focus on a few trusted partners and become more selective with age, while bonobos maintain a more egalitarian social style.
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Chimpanzees and bonobos have human-like friend circles, study finds. By studying grooming behavior, researchers discovered that chimpanzees and bonobos form close inner circles along with wider networks of weaker social connections. Chimpanzees focus on a few trusted partners and become more selective with age, while bonobos maintain a more egalitarian social style.
TL;DR:
Great apes appear to build friendships much like humans do.
Sciencedaily
May 31, 10:51
The secret to pigeons’ incredible navigation was hiding in their liver
Scientists have uncovered a surprising navigation system in pigeons: iron-filled immune cells in the liver that may act like tiny magnetic sensors. Birds deprived of these cells struggled to find their way home under overcast skies, indicating they rely on Earth’s magnetic field for guidance. The discovery could solve a decades-old mystery about animal navigation and reveal an unexpected connection between immunity and sensing the environment.
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The secret to pigeons’ incredible navigation was hiding in their liver. Birds deprived of these cells struggled to find their way home under overcast skies, indicating they rely on Earth’s magnetic field for guidance. The discovery could solve a decades-old mystery about animal navigation and reveal an unexpected connection between immunity and sensing the environment.
TL;DR:
Scientists have uncovered a surprising navigation system in pigeons: iron-filled immune cells in the liver that may act like tiny magnetic sensors.
Phys
May 31, 10:44
Two decades later, impacts from Indonesia mud volcano linger
Harwati clasped her hands and offered a prayer on the edge of a sludge lake on the Indonesian island of Java, as dozen of residents gathered to mark two decades since mud volcano eruptions began displacing thousands.
TL;DR:
Harwati clasped her hands and offered a prayer on the edge of a sludge lake on the Indonesian island of Java, as dozen of residents gathered to mark two decades since mud volcano eruptions began displacing thousands.
Phys
May 31, 10:26
Venice's growing flamingo population finds refuge in recovering wetlands
Perhaps nothing better illustrates the flamingo's status as a newcomer to the Venetian Lagoon than the fact that the local dialect has no word for them.
TL;DR:
Perhaps nothing better illustrates the flamingo's status as a newcomer to the Venetian Lagoon than the fact that the local dialect has no word for them.
Phys
May 31, 10:26
Researchers teach brain cells to play 'Doom'
Australian researchers have trained lab-grown brain cells on a silicon computer chip to play the nineties shooter game "Doom" and say they are just scratching the surface of what the neurons could be capable of doing.
TL;DR:
Australian researchers have trained lab-grown brain cells on a silicon computer chip to play the nineties shooter game "Doom" and say they are just scratching the surface of what the neurons could be capable of doing.
Phys
May 31, 10:26
Mosquitoes learn to link the smell of DEET with a blood meal, new study finds
Mosquito repellents are key to protecting ourselves from mosquito bites and the pathogens they might carry. The most widely used active ingredient in insect repellents is N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, commonly known as DEET.
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Mosquitoes learn to link the smell of DEET with a blood meal, new study finds. Mosquito repellents are key to protecting ourselves from mosquito bites and the pathogens they might carry. The most widely used active ingredient in insect repellents is N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, commonly known as DEET.
TL;DR:
Mosquito repellents are key to protecting ourselves from mosquito bites and the pathogens they might carry.
Sciencedaily
May 31, 08:19
Intermittent fasting triggers surprising changes in the brain
Losing weight may involve rewiring the gut and the brain at the same time. In a study of obese adults, an intermittent fasting-style diet led to significant weight loss, healthier metabolic markers, and notable shifts in gut bacteria. Brain scans also revealed changes in regions tied to appetite, cravings, and self-control. The results suggest the gut microbiome and brain may work together to influence weight-loss success.
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Intermittent fasting triggers surprising changes in the brain. Brain scans also revealed changes in regions tied to appetite, cravings, and self-control. The results suggest the gut microbiome and brain may work together to influence weight-loss success.
TL;DR:
Losing weight may involve rewiring the gut and the brain at the same time.
Bbc
May 31, 06:01
How a lost road helped rewild a rare landscape
The Hindhead Tunnel has sparked one of the most successful rewilding projects in southern England.
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How a lost road helped rewild a rare landscape. The Hindhead Tunnel has sparked one of the most successful rewilding projects in southern England.
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The Hindhead Tunnel has sparked one of the most successful rewilding projects in southern England.
Bbc
May 31, 05:33
'Disgusting' beach litter leaves people upset
Jill Boyle is urging people coming to north Norfolk to take their rubbish home and not leave it behind.
TL;DR:
Jill Boyle is urging people coming to north Norfolk to take their rubbish home and not leave it behind.
Theguardian
May 31, 01:28
Meteor explodes over Massachusetts, setting off loud booms
Meteor was travelling at 75,000 miles per hour (more than 120,000 km/h) at an altitude of 40 miles when it broke apart A meteor crashing toward Earth exploded over the north-eastern United States on Saturday, Nasa said, setting off booms that echoed over the region with a blast equivalent to 300 tons of TNT. The fireball broke up over northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern New Hampshire just after 2pm (1806 GMT), the US space agency’s deputy news chief Jennifer Dooren told AFP in a statement. Continue reading...
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Meteor was travelling at 75,000 miles per hour (more than 120,000 km/h) at an altitude of 40 miles when it broke apart A meteor crashing toward Earth exploded over the north-eastern United States on Saturday, Nasa said, setting off booms that echoed over the region with a blast equivalent to 300 tons of TNT.
TL;DR:
Meteor was travelling at 75,000 miles per hour (more than 120,000 km/h) at an altitude of 40 miles when it broke apart A meteor crashing toward Earth exploded over the north-eastern United States on Saturday, Nasa said, setting off booms that echoed over the region with a blast equivalent to 300 tons of TNT.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
Why tipping fatigue is growing in Canada
Ever feel uncomfortable when a payment screen asks for a tip? We sure have. As tipping prompts become more widespread, more consumers are feeling uneasy or frustrated, but not always sure why.
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Why tipping fatigue is growing in Canada. Ever feel uncomfortable when a payment screen asks for a tip? As tipping prompts become more widespread, more consumers are feeling uneasy or frustrated, but not always sure why.
TL;DR:
As tipping prompts become more widespread, more consumers are feeling uneasy or frustrated, but not always sure why.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
In the world's economic 'black holes,' data still leak out
From satellite imagery to clandestine price reports, a new study draws on North Korea to explore economic activity in opaque regimes and information-scarce regions. North Korea is the blackest of economic black holes. Even a basic question like "is the economy shrinking or expanding?" can be difficult to answer. The country does not publish reliable statistics. It sharply restricts outside access and treats trade data as a state secret.
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North Korea is the blackest of economic black holes. Even a basic question like "is the economy shrinking or expanding?" can be difficult to answer. It sharply restricts outside access and treats trade data as a state secret.
TL;DR:
From satellite imagery to clandestine price reports, a new study draws on North Korea to explore economic activity in opaque regimes and information-scarce regions.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
A trip to the United Arab Emirates' darkest spot reveals a rare view of the Milky Way
The gleaming skyscrapers and bright lights of the United Arab Emirates draw the eyes of all who travel there, a sign of the Arabian Peninsula nation's rapid, oil-fueled development over the last decades into a major hub for commerce and tourism.
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The gleaming skyscrapers and bright lights of the United Arab Emirates draw the eyes of all who travel there, a sign of the Arabian Peninsula nation's rapid, oil-fueled development over the last decades into a major hub for commerce and tourism.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
Blue Origin rocket explosion is bad news for both Bezos and NASA
Space exploration is filled with setbacks, but the spectacular explosion of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket on Thursday night marked a significant blow to not only the company, which was founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, but also NASA, with the two collaborating for the upcoming US moon missions.
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Space exploration is filled with setbacks, but the spectacular explosion of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket on Thursday night marked a significant blow to not only the company, which was founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, but also NASA, with the two collaborating for the upcoming US moon missions.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
Ohio wall lizards overcame genetic bottleneck through rapid population boom, genomes reveal
Non-native wall lizards living in Cincinnati, Ohio, have thrived against the odds thanks to an ability to expand their population more quickly than any inbreeding-amplified harmful genes could weaken their chances for survival, new research suggests.
TL;DR:
Non-native wall lizards living in Cincinnati, Ohio, have thrived against the odds thanks to an ability to expand their population more quickly than any inbreeding-amplified harmful genes could weaken their chances for survival, new research suggests.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
British naked chalk giant gets spruced up
Getting hot and sweaty in a British heat wave, volunteers from home and abroad have been hard at work all week to restore a historic naked chalk giant dubbed "Rude Man" on a hillside in southwest England.
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Getting hot and sweaty in a British heat wave, volunteers from home and abroad have been hard at work all week to restore a historic naked chalk giant dubbed "Rude Man" on a hillside in southwest England.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
Ancient lake cores reveal unprecedented 2012 Rwenzori fire and ecological shift
For the past several years, Penn State geoscientist Sarah Ivory and her students have been among a team of scientists scaling the East African Rwenzori Mountains, collecting sediment core samples from lakes formed at the end of the last ice age as glaciers began receding in the region some 12,000 years ago.
TL;DR:
For the past several years, Penn State geoscientist Sarah Ivory and her students have been among a team of scientists scaling the East African Rwenzori Mountains, collecting sediment core samples from lakes formed at the end of the last ice age as glaciers began receding in the region some 12,000 years ago.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
Evidence of cosmic-ray acceleration from a nearby supernova remnant
Cosmic rays seen at Earth show a wide range of particle energies, from 107 electron-volts (eV) to more than 1020 eV, the latter being about the same as the kinetic energy of a 450 gram football (soccer ball) being kicked across the pitch at about 8 meters per second. A plot of cosmic ray energies from the Milky Way galaxy often shows a fair amount of what scientists might call "structure"—interesting deviations from the underlying trend called "knees" and "ankles" that indicate new processes or methods of cosmic ray production taking place at that energy.
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Cosmic rays seen at Earth show a wide range of particle energies, from 107 electron-volts (eV) to more than 1020 eV, the latter being about the same as the kinetic energy of a 450 gram football (soccer ball) being kicked across the pitch at about 8 meters per second.
TL;DR:
Cosmic rays seen at Earth show a wide range of particle energies, from 107 electron-volts (eV) to more than 1020 eV, the latter being about the same as the kinetic energy of a 450 gram football (soccer ball) being kicked across the pitch at about 8 meters per second.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
Axial encoding unlocks up to eightfold faster 3D microscopy with less light
A research team from HKU Engineering has pioneered a fundamentally new imaging strategy known as AIMED (Arbitrary illumination microscopy with encoded depth), which utilizes a sub-sampling approach. By integrating innovations in axial optical encoding with advanced computational image reconstruction, the AIMED technology enables a substantial increase in 3D imaging speed while enhancing photon safety, all with minimal additional system complexity. This breakthrough demonstrates significant advantages across efficiency, image quality, and system compatibility.
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Axial encoding unlocks up to eightfold faster 3D microscopy with less light. By integrating innovations in axial optical encoding with advanced computational image reconstruction, the AIMED technology enables a substantial increase in 3D imaging speed while enhancing photon safety, all with minimal additional system complexity.
TL;DR:
A research team from HKU Engineering has pioneered a fundamentally new imaging strategy known as AIMED (Arbitrary illumination microscopy with encoded depth), which utilizes a sub-sampling approach.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
Inside Europe's largest Copper Age tomb, children's bones expose an ancient health crisis hidden for 5,000 years
Nearly 5,000 years ago, respiratory infections, possibly including tuberculosis, were ravaging the children buried at Camino del Molino (CMOL), Spain. The massive circular burial cave carved into rock is Europe's largest Copper Age mass burial, containing over 1,300 individuals, and has been the subject of years of excavation and analysis.
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Inside Europe's largest Copper Age tomb, children's bones expose an ancient health crisis hidden for 5,000 years. Nearly 5,000 years ago, respiratory infections, possibly including tuberculosis, were ravaging the children buried at Camino del Molino (CMOL), Spain.
TL;DR:
Nearly 5,000 years ago, respiratory infections, possibly including tuberculosis, were ravaging the children buried at Camino del Molino (CMOL), Spain.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
Saturday Citations: Failure to launch; cellular mortality; heavy weather
Highlights from the last week of May, 2026: A key climate tipping point is disrupting the Arctic Ocean food chain (more of a lowlight, I guess). Scuba-diving tourism may not be the benefit to coral reef systems that we once thought, and might actually be unsustainable. And an experimental mRNA vaccine showed promising results against strains of Ebola.
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Saturday Citations: Failure to launch; cellular mortality; heavy weather. Highlights from the last week of May, 2026: A key climate tipping point is disrupting the Arctic Ocean food chain (more of a lowlight, I guess). And an experimental mRNA vaccine showed promising results against strains of Ebola.
TL;DR:
Highlights from the last week of May, 2026: A key climate tipping point is disrupting the Arctic Ocean food chain (more of a lowlight, I guess).
Phys
May 30, 23:30
These California wildflowers could save other plants
As wildflowers go, the mountain jewelflower is demure, clever and quietly unbreakable. It has spread across many of California's iconic landscapes, from Sonoma wine country to the oak-dotted foothills, even over the Sierra Crest, where snow covers the ground during winter.
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These California wildflowers could save other plants. As wildflowers go, the mountain jewelflower is demure, clever and quietly unbreakable. It has spread across many of California's iconic landscapes, from Sonoma wine country to the oak-dotted foothills, even over the Sierra Crest, where snow covers the ground during winter.
TL;DR:
As wildflowers go, the mountain jewelflower is demure, clever and quietly unbreakable.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
Pulsar wind nebula inside supernova remnant explored with Chandra
Astronomers from the George Washington University (GWU) in Washington, DC, and elsewhere have employed NASA's Chandra X-ray spacecraft to observe a pulsar wind nebula inside a supernova remnant known as CTA 1. Results of the observational campaign, presented in a research paper published May 20 on the arXiv preprint server, shed more light on the morphology and properties of this nebula.
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Astronomers from the George Washington University (GWU) in Washington, DC, and elsewhere have employed NASA's Chandra X-ray spacecraft to observe a pulsar wind nebula inside a supernova remnant known as CTA 1.
TL;DR:
Astronomers from the George Washington University (GWU) in Washington, DC, and elsewhere have employed NASA's Chandra X-ray spacecraft to observe a pulsar wind nebula inside a supernova remnant known as CTA 1.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
A 'supereruption' transformed NZ 350,000 years ago—we now know how it happened
Some 350,000 years ago, the center of New Zealand's North Island appeared much different than the mountainous, scrub-covered landscape it is today. Amid a glacial period, temperatures were colder and conditions harsher. Vast beech and podocarp forests blanketed the region, providing habitat for abundant native birdlife.
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A 'supereruption' transformed NZ 350,000 years ago—we now know how it happened. Some 350,000 years ago, the center of New Zealand's North Island appeared much different than the mountainous, scrub-covered landscape it is today. Vast beech and podocarp forests blanketed the region, providing habitat for abundant native birdlife.
TL;DR:
Some 350,000 years ago, the center of New Zealand's North Island appeared much different than the mountainous, scrub-covered landscape it is today.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
Backlash is often swift when authorities try to plan retreat from the coast: Is there a better way?
Climate change is exacerbating rainfall, flooding and sea-level rises in coastal and low-lying areas. During the past few years, disastrous floods have swept through Lismore in New South Wales, Northern Queensland, and the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Large waves have pounded beaches, causing erosion in Byron Bay and Wamberal Beach in NSW and Lancelin, Western Australia.
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Backlash is often swift when authorities try to plan retreat from the coast: Is there a better way?. During the past few years, disastrous floods have swept through Lismore in New South Wales, Northern Queensland, and the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Large waves have pounded beaches, causing erosion in Byron Bay and Wamberal Beach in NSW and Lancelin, Western Australia.
TL;DR:
Climate change is exacerbating rainfall, flooding and sea-level rises in coastal and low-lying areas.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
Quantum light gives a 20-fold boost to ultrafast laser processes
Nonlinear interactions between light and matter are at the heart of some of the most powerful tools in modern optics, but pushing these processes to their limits has long been hampered by a fundamental constraint: the stronger you make the laser, the more likely it is to destroy whatever it illuminates.
TL;DR:
Nonlinear interactions between light and matter are at the heart of some of the most powerful tools in modern optics, but pushing these processes to their limits has long been hampered by a fundamental constraint: the stronger you make the laser, the more likely it is to destroy whatever it illuminates.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
How mobile deep‑space medical systems could support future landings on the moon and Mars
Around the world, people watched NASA's Artemis II mission in awe as humans returned to lunar orbit for the first time since 1972.
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How mobile deep‑space medical systems could support future landings on the moon and Mars. Around the world, people watched NASA's Artemis II mission in awe as humans returned to lunar orbit for the first time since 1972.
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Around the world, people watched NASA's Artemis II mission in awe as humans returned to lunar orbit for the first time since 1972.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
Q&A: Ancient bird species found in China's Liaoning had extra-long tail feathers for elaborate courtship
A recently discovered extinct bird from the early Cretaceous Period (approximately 121 million years ago) may have waggled its long tail feathers to attract mates, according to a study published May 27, 2026 in the open-access journal PLOS One by Alexander Clark of the University of Chicago and colleagues. Clark shares more details about his team's findings in the following Q&A.
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Clark shares more details about his team's findings in the following Q&A.
TL;DR:
A recently discovered extinct bird from the early Cretaceous Period (approximately 121 million years ago) may have waggled its long tail feathers to attract mates, according to a study published May 27, 2026 in the open-access journal PLOS One by Alexander Clark of the University of Chicago and colleagues.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
Rainfall near 700 mm marks turning point in ecosystem nitrogen retention
In a study published in Nature Geoscience, a research team led by Prof. Liu Lingli from the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IBCAS) has identified a mean annual precipitation (MAP) threshold of approximately 700 mm, beyond which the dominant controls on ecosystem nitrogen retention shift.
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Rainfall near 700 mm marks turning point in ecosystem nitrogen retention. In a study published in Nature Geoscience, a research team led by Prof. Liu Lingli from the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IBCAS) has identified a mean annual precipitation (MAP) threshold of approximately 700 mm, beyond which the dominant controls on ecosystem nitrogen retention…
TL;DR:
In a study published in Nature Geoscience, a research team led by Prof.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
Too hot, too humid: Why the sustained heat wave in India and Pakistan is so dangerous
India and Pakistan are no strangers to heat. This time of year is the worst, as heat peaks before the monsoon brings cooler conditions from June.
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Too hot, too humid: Why the sustained heat wave in India and Pakistan is so dangerous. India and Pakistan are no strangers to heat. This time of year is the worst, as heat peaks before the monsoon brings cooler conditions from June.
TL;DR:
India and Pakistan are no strangers to heat.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
Catalysts that prevent boil-off losses in liquid hydrogen production hold promise for a hydrogen-energy society
A joint research team has discovered high-performance catalysts capable of significantly reducing "boil-off losses," which had been a longstanding issue in liquid hydrogen storage and transportation. These composite catalysts, in which metallic nanoparticles, such as iron, are supported on silicon dioxide (silica) or other low-cost oxide, demonstrate significantly superior performance compared to conventional iron oxide-based catalysts.
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A joint research team has discovered high-performance catalysts capable of significantly reducing "boil-off losses," which had been a longstanding issue in liquid hydrogen storage and transportation.
TL;DR:
A joint research team has discovered high-performance catalysts capable of significantly reducing "boil-off losses," which had been a longstanding issue in liquid hydrogen storage and transportation.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
Nanofiber implant delivers three drugs, doubles survival in glioblastoma mice
Researchers with the University of Cincinnati and Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a potential treatment for brain cancer that uses nanofibers embedded with a combination of drugs that work in concert to target tumors. The drugs proved more effective in combination than when administered alone and can provide both immediate and long-lasting doses to kill cancer cells.
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Researchers with the University of Cincinnati and Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a potential treatment for brain cancer that uses nanofibers embedded with a combination of drugs that work in concert to target tumors. The drugs proved more effective in combination than when administered alone and can provide both immediate and long-lasting doses to kill cancer cells.
TL;DR:
Researchers with the University of Cincinnati and Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a potential treatment for brain cancer that uses nanofibers embedded with a combination of drugs that work in concert to target tumors.
Phys
May 30, 23:30
Study shows supervision and license conditions reduce reoffending among first-time prisoners
New research shows that people released from prison are significantly less likely to reoffend if they are subject to supervision and other license requirements—especially first-time prisoners.
TL;DR:
New research shows that people released from prison are significantly less likely to reoffend if they are subject to supervision and other license requirements—especially first-time prisoners.
Theguardian
May 30, 17:00
Cancer jab can eradicate entire tumours in patients, trial shows
Jab brought ‘unprecedentedly strong responses’ in patients whose disease had become resistant to chemotherapy and immunotherapy Doctors have hailed “unprecedented” trial results that show a triple-action cancer jab can eradicate entire tumours in patients. In an international trial spanning 11 countries, the injection was offered to patients whose cancer had spread or come back and whose disease had failed to respond to other treatments. Continue reading...
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Jab brought ‘unprecedentedly strong responses’ in patients whose disease had become resistant to chemotherapy and immunotherapy Doctors have hailed “unprecedented” trial results that show a triple-action cancer jab can eradicate entire tumours in patients.
TL;DR:
Jab brought ‘unprecedentedly strong responses’ in patients whose disease had become resistant to chemotherapy and immunotherapy Doctors have hailed “unprecedented” trial results that show a triple-action cancer jab can eradicate entire tumours in patients.
Bbc
May 30, 13:49
Project to bring wildlife closer to city people
The events will include bat nights, fungi and birdsong events and a summer solstice celebration.
TL;DR:
The events will include bat nights, fungi and birdsong events and a summer solstice celebration.
Theguardian
May 30, 12:16
Trial of multi-cancer blood test among 142,000 NHS patients fails to meet main aim
Results presented at oncology conference in Chicago show Galleri test failed to reduce late-stage cancer diagnoses A blood test for more than 50 types of cancer that was billed as the holy grail of oncology has failed to achieve its main objective in a major clinical trial, according to data presented at the world’s largest cancer conference. The goal of the study involving 142,000 NHS patients in the UK was to assess whether adding the multi-cancer early detection test Galleri to standard screening could shift diagnoses to earlier, more treatable stages. Continue reading...
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Results presented at oncology conference in Chicago show Galleri test failed to reduce late-stage cancer diagnoses A blood test for more than 50 types of cancer that was billed as the holy grail of oncology has failed to achieve its main objective in a major clinical trial, according to data presented at the world’s largest cancer conference.
TL;DR:
Results presented at oncology conference in Chicago show Galleri test failed to reduce late-stage cancer diagnoses A blood test for more than 50 types of cancer that was billed as the holy grail of oncology has failed to achieve its main objective in a major clinical trial, according to data presented at the world’s largest cancer conference.
Newscientist
May 30, 11:00
The best new science-fiction books of June 2026
There is plenty of intriguing sci-fi on offer this month, whether it’s solar-powered cities from Adrian Tchaikovsky or a strange future from M. John Harrison
TL;DR:
There is plenty of intriguing sci-fi on offer this month, whether it’s solar-powered cities from Adrian Tchaikovsky or a strange future from M.
Sciencedaily
May 30, 09:31
This strange new phase of matter could transform quantum technology
By stacking custom-designed silver nanoparticles like nanoscale LEGO bricks, scientists stabilized a mysterious crystal phase that had never been observed before. The material not only solves a longstanding puzzle in materials science but also exhibits promising quantum properties at room temperature.
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This strange new phase of matter could transform quantum technology. By stacking custom-designed silver nanoparticles like nanoscale LEGO bricks, scientists stabilized a mysterious crystal phase that had never been observed before. The material not only solves a longstanding puzzle in materials science but also exhibits promising quantum properties at room temperature.
TL;DR:
By stacking custom-designed silver nanoparticles like nanoscale LEGO bricks, scientists stabilized a mysterious crystal phase that had never been observed before.
Sciencedaily
May 30, 09:31
Ancient DNA reveals how women helped transform prehistoric Europe
New DNA evidence shows that Europe’s hunter-gatherers and early farmers interacted far more closely than previously thought, with women likely playing a crucial role in spreading farming across northwestern Europe. Centuries later, the arrival of Bell Beaker migrants triggered another sweeping population transformation that extended all the way to Britain.
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New DNA evidence shows that Europe’s hunter-gatherers and early farmers interacted far more closely than previously thought, with women likely playing a crucial role in spreading farming across northwestern Europe. Centuries later, the arrival of Bell Beaker migrants triggered another sweeping population transformation that extended all the way to Britain.
TL;DR:
New DNA evidence shows that Europe’s hunter-gatherers and early farmers interacted far more closely than previously thought, with women likely playing a crucial role in spreading farming across northwestern Europe.
Newscientist
May 30, 08:00
Photons behave very strangely if you try to cut them
Particles of light cannot be divided into smaller particles, but if you try to snip off the end of one, instead of shortening it multiplies
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Particles of light cannot be divided into smaller particles, but if you try to snip off the end of one, instead of shortening it multiplies
Bbc
May 30, 05:28
Wildlife park opens hub featuring erupting volcano
The new building has two areas filled with interactive features to aid learning.
TL;DR:
The new building has two areas filled with interactive features to aid learning.
Sciencedaily
May 30, 05:07
Caffeine reversed memory problems caused by sleep deprivation
Scientists discovered that sleep deprivation damages a key brain circuit responsible for social memory, making it harder to recognize familiar individuals. In laboratory studies, caffeine restored communication between neurons in this pathway and reversed the memory deficits caused by lost sleep. The effect was remarkably targeted, helping the impaired circuit recover without overstimulating normal brain function.
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Caffeine reversed memory problems caused by sleep deprivation. Scientists discovered that sleep deprivation damages a key brain circuit responsible for social memory, making it harder to recognize familiar individuals. In laboratory studies, caffeine restored communication between neurons in this pathway and reversed the memory deficits caused by lost sleep.
TL;DR:
Scientists discovered that sleep deprivation damages a key brain circuit responsible for social memory, making it harder to recognize familiar individuals.
Theguardian
May 30, 05:00
‘There is no way to stop this’: ‘Biotech Barbie’ Cathy Tie on her mission to genetically modify babies
The Canadian entrepreneur has always pushed the boundaries of gene editing, once attempting to turn horses into unicorns. Now she is set on modifying human embryos – something her controversial ex-husband was jailed for doing On a Friday evening in late April, Cathy Tie, the Canadian serial entrepreneur and self-styled “Biotech Barbie”, is centre stage at New York City’s famous Carnegie Hall, performing Saint-Saens’ Piano Concerto No 2 on a gleaming Steinway grand piano, accompanied by an orchestra. Her floor-length pink tulle gown shimmers with gold sequins; her dark hair cascades in waves over her caped shoulders. The music is passionate, but Tie’s expression is impassive. Her eyes dart between the piano keys and the sheet music in a flurry of concentration, but the rest of her face is totally still. She isn’t lost in the music; she’s focused on the job. After the last notes ring out, Tie stands up and breaks into a tight smile and a brief bow before walking off stage, only to immediately return to receive the slightly awkward Happy Birthday sung by everyone in the orchestra and auditorium. This is Tie’s 30th birthday party. She has hired Carnegie Hall to mark the occasion. And, as I discover at the cocktail afterparty, most of the people invited to this performance – including me – have either only just met Tie or don’t know her at all. Continue reading...
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‘There is no way to stop this’: ‘Biotech Barbie’ Cathy Tie on her mission to genetically modify babies. The music is passionate, but Tie’s expression is impassive. This is Tie’s 30th birthday party.
TL;DR:
The Canadian entrepreneur has always pushed the boundaries of gene editing, once attempting to turn horses into unicorns.
Scientificamerican
May 30, 01:39
WH proposes rules giving political appointees final approval on research grants
White House proposes new rules giving political appointees final approval on research grants These proposed Office of Management and Budget regulations would render the federal research grant review…
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WH proposes rules giving political appointees final approval on research grants. Scheduled to be officially published in the Federal Register on Friday, the 412-page proposal on federal spending rules would centralize Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control over releases of government funds, including for scientific research grants.
TL;DR:
White House proposes new rules giving political appointees final approval on research grants These proposed Office of Management and Budget regulations would render the federal research grant review process opaque On Thursday the White House released long-anticipated draft regulations that, if enacted, would give political appointees the final word on federal research grants and other funding across government agencies.
Phys
May 29, 23:26
The Adult Gaze: Looking again at children and young people in peace and conflict
New research by Dr. Patricia Nabuco Martuscelli and a team of researchers challenged the "Adult Gaze," arguing that children's expertise on war and peace is being ignored by a system that only views them as future leaders rather than current experts.
TL;DR:
Patricia Nabuco Martuscelli and a team of researchers challenged the "Adult Gaze," arguing that children's expertise on war and peace is being ignored by a system that only views them as future leaders rather than current experts.
Phys
May 29, 23:26
Tardigrades reveal extreme heat-blocking survival trick while in tun state
Tardigrades, also known as water bears or moss piglets, are tiny eight-legged animals that can survive in extreme environments, where humans and most other animals would die. This resistance to extreme conditions, including intense heat, very high or low temperatures, radiation and low oxygen levels is called "extremotolerance."
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Tardigrades, also known as water bears or moss piglets, are tiny eight-legged animals that can survive in extreme environments, where humans and most other animals would die. This resistance to extreme conditions, including intense heat, very high or low temperatures, radiation and low oxygen levels is called "extremotolerance."
TL;DR:
Tardigrades, also known as water bears or moss piglets, are tiny eight-legged animals that can survive in extreme environments, where humans and most other animals would die.
Phys
May 29, 23:26
Wildfire dark brown carbon has strong global warming effects, study finds
A new international study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that dark brown carbon from wildfires exerts a powerful warming effect on the global climate—potentially matching or even exceeding that of black carbon in the visible spectrum.
TL;DR:
A new international study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that dark brown carbon from wildfires exerts a powerful warming effect on the global climate—potentially matching or even exceeding that of black carbon in the visible spectrum.
Phys
May 29, 23:26
How thousands of small farms collectively shape water demand in a water-stressed region
As climate change intensifies drought conditions across the Southwest, researchers at The University of New Mexico are examining how agricultural water is used in one of New Mexico's most critical river systems.
TL;DR:
As climate change intensifies drought conditions across the Southwest, researchers at The University of New Mexico are examining how agricultural water is used in one of New Mexico's most critical river systems.
Phys
May 29, 23:26
Orangutans breastfeed for six and a half years, the longest among mammals
Orangutans have one of the slowest life histories among mammals, and a new study now shows just how long orangutan mothers continue to breastfeed their offspring. An international team has demonstrated that wild orangutan juveniles keep consuming their mother's milk continuously until at least six and a half years of age, confirming one of the longest breastfeeding periods known among mammals.
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Orangutans have one of the slowest life histories among mammals, and a new study now shows just how long orangutan mothers continue to breastfeed their offspring. An international team has demonstrated that wild orangutan juveniles keep consuming their mother's milk continuously until at least six and a half years of age, confirming one of the longest breastfeeding periods kno…
TL;DR:
Orangutans have one of the slowest life histories among mammals, and a new study now shows just how long orangutan mothers continue to breastfeed their offspring.
Phys
May 29, 23:26
What makes a heat dome? Experts explain
The summer of 2021 was one for the record books as the now-infamous "heat dome" settled over the Pacific Northwest from late June through early July, resulting in triple-digit temperatures and hundreds of deaths.
TL;DR:
The summer of 2021 was one for the record books as the now-infamous "heat dome" settled over the Pacific Northwest from late June through early July, resulting in triple-digit temperatures and hundreds of deaths.
Phys
May 29, 23:26
Webb reveals black hole that formed before its galaxy
Which comes first, the galaxy or the black hole? We don't know, but scientists have long thought it could be the galaxy: Large stars within an existing galaxy consume their fuel and collapse to form black holes, which can gobble up surrounding material and merge over time to form more massive entities.
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Webb reveals black hole that formed before its galaxy. Which comes first, the galaxy or the black hole? We don't know, but scientists have long thought it could be the galaxy: Large stars within an existing galaxy consume their fuel and collapse to form black holes, which can gobble up surrounding material and merge over time to form more massive entities.
TL;DR:
Which comes first, the galaxy or the black hole?
Phys
May 29, 23:26
Mars's manganese 'bathtub ring' reveals ancient ocean timeline and its potential for life
Past research has indicated Mars's largest northern basin, Utopia Planitia, was once the location of a large body of water, but details surrounding when this body of water may have existed have not been resolved. Researchers have now identified a ring of minerals in the region that have helped them string together a timeline of what happened there. The new study, published in Nature Communications, provides details about the ocean's timeline and what it says about life on Mars.
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Mars's manganese 'bathtub ring' reveals ancient ocean timeline and its potential for life. Researchers have now identified a ring of minerals in the region that have helped them string together a timeline of what happened there. The new study, published in Nature Communications, provides details about the ocean's timeline and what it says about life on Mars.
TL;DR:
Past research has indicated Mars's largest northern basin, Utopia Planitia, was once the location of a large body of water, but details surrounding when this body of water may have existed have not been resolved.
Phys
May 29, 23:26
Three astronauts from China return to Earth after nearly 7 months in space, a record for a Chinese crew
Three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth on Friday after spending nearly seven months in space, setting a record for the longest on-orbit stay by a Chinese crew.
TL;DR:
Three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth on Friday after spending nearly seven months in space, setting a record for the longest on-orbit stay by a Chinese crew.
Phys
May 29, 23:26
Chromosome model links one steady motor to shape shift needed for cell division
It's tricky to make an exact copy of yourself. Or at least it is for cells undergoing mitosis, where cells replicate everything inside of them, including their neatly packaged DNA, then split in half. Rice University professor Peter Wolynes is interested in how the packaged DNA, called a chromosome, changes its structure during replication, going from a ball shape to a cylinder shape that can be transported easily to the daughter cell.
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It's tricky to make an exact copy of yourself. Or at least it is for cells undergoing mitosis, where cells replicate everything inside of them, including their neatly packaged DNA, then split in half.
TL;DR:
Or at least it is for cells undergoing mitosis, where cells replicate everything inside of them, including their neatly packaged DNA, then split in half.
Phys
May 29, 23:26
How Alaska Native communities navigate a potential $170 billion gold mine
Sitting at the northwestern edge of North America, Alaska stretches across a vast Arctic land of wilderness, culture, and wealth beneath the surface. Among its resources is the Donlin Gold deposit, located in southwestern Alaska's Kuskokwim River basin. As one of the world's largest undeveloped gold mines, it holds an estimated 39 million ounces worth more than $170 billion at today's prices.
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How Alaska Native communities navigate a potential $170 billion gold mine. Among its resources is the Donlin Gold deposit, located in southwestern Alaska's Kuskokwim River basin. As one of the world's largest undeveloped gold mines, it holds an estimated 39 million ounces worth more than $170 billion at today's prices.
TL;DR:
Sitting at the northwestern edge of North America, Alaska stretches across a vast Arctic land of wilderness, culture, and wealth beneath the surface.
Phys
May 29, 23:26
Blue Origin investigates rocket explosion as public is warned about possible wreckage washing ashore
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin is assessing damage to its launch pad after a rocket exploded during a test firing, creating a giant orange fireball seen and felt for miles around.
TL;DR:
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin is assessing damage to its launch pad after a rocket exploded during a test firing, creating a giant orange fireball seen and felt for miles around.
Phys
May 29, 23:26
Rare male red pipefish carrying eggs on its trunk spotted in Sydney
The red pipefish (Notiocampus ruber) is a rare relative of seahorses and seadragons found only in Australia.
TL;DR:
The red pipefish (Notiocampus ruber) is a rare relative of seahorses and seadragons found only in Australia.
Phys
May 29, 23:26
Heat and drought push Europe's trees into survival mode, often fatally
The once-majestic oak tree is all but dead: battered by repeated heat waves, it has shut down vital functions to conserve water and is slowly dying in a French forest.
TL;DR:
The once-majestic oak tree is all but dead: battered by repeated heat waves, it has shut down vital functions to conserve water and is slowly dying in a French forest.
Phys
May 29, 23:26
Elephant declines could trigger wider ecosystem losses in African savannas, 15-year test shows
For decades, ecologists have theorized that the extinction of one important species could set off a chain reaction of losses throughout an ecosystem. Now, new research offers some of the clearest real-world evidence that this idea of coextinction is not just theoretical.
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Elephant declines could trigger wider ecosystem losses in African savannas, 15-year test shows. For decades, ecologists have theorized that the extinction of one important species could set off a chain reaction of losses throughout an ecosystem. Now, new research offers some of the clearest real-world evidence that this idea of coextinction is not just theoretical.
TL;DR:
For decades, ecologists have theorized that the extinction of one important species could set off a chain reaction of losses throughout an ecosystem.
Phys
May 29, 23:26
Antihydrogen mirrors hydrogen in upgraded spectrum test, narrowing cosmic mystery
University of Calgary researchers are a part of a group who just got one step closer to solving a mystery of the universe. Dr. Timothy Friesen, Ph.D., an associate professor of Physics and Astronomy in the Faculty of Science, and his team led a new measurement comparing the spectrum of hydrogen to its antimatter counterpart—antihydrogen.
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Antihydrogen mirrors hydrogen in upgraded spectrum test, narrowing cosmic mystery. University of Calgary researchers are a part of a group who just got one step closer to solving a mystery of the universe. Timothy Friesen, Ph.D.
TL;DR:
University of Calgary researchers are a part of a group who just got one step closer to solving a mystery of the universe.
Phys
May 29, 23:26
Citizens as political actors, not individual consumers: New study calls for tighter advertising regulations
Commercial marketing oriented toward sustainability is not compatible with degrowth, even when it promotes consuming less. That is the conclusion of a study by ICTA-UAB and the London School of Economics and Political Science.
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Citizens as political actors, not individual consumers: New study calls for tighter advertising regulations. Commercial marketing oriented toward sustainability is not compatible with degrowth, even when it promotes consuming less. That is the conclusion of a study by ICTA-UAB and the London School of Economics and Political Science.
TL;DR:
Commercial marketing oriented toward sustainability is not compatible with degrowth, even when it promotes consuming less.
Phys
May 29, 23:25
IceCube detects break in cosmic neutrino spectrum, ruling out simple power-law model
A new study published in Physical Review Letters by the IceCube Collaboration reports evidence that the energy spectrum of astrophysical neutrinos is not a simple straight line.
TL;DR:
A new study published in Physical Review Letters by the IceCube Collaboration reports evidence that the energy spectrum of astrophysical neutrinos is not a simple straight line.
Phys
May 29, 23:25
Vast botanical data help solve Darwin's puzzle of why some exotic plants become pests
There's a conundrum that has perplexed biologists since Charles Darwin himself. Why do some exotic species take off as invasive pests while others don't?
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Vast botanical data help solve Darwin's puzzle of why some exotic plants become pests. There's a conundrum that has perplexed biologists since Charles Darwin himself. Why do some exotic species take off as invasive pests while others don't?
TL;DR:
There's a conundrum that has perplexed biologists since Charles Darwin himself.
Phys
May 29, 23:25
Designing catalysts during synthesis could speed cleaner fuels and greener industry
The synthesis of materials can serve as a tool for developing smart, adaptive electrocatalysts. This rapidly evolving field of research involves in-situ analytics, data-driven discoveries and autonomous robotics. These new approaches could accelerate the discovery of long-lasting and efficient catalysts for future energy conversion and the decarbonization of the chemical industry.
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Designing catalysts during synthesis could speed cleaner fuels and greener industry. The synthesis of materials can serve as a tool for developing smart, adaptive electrocatalysts. These new approaches could accelerate the discovery of long-lasting and efficient catalysts for future energy conversion and the decarbonization of the chemical industry.
TL;DR:
The synthesis of materials can serve as a tool for developing smart, adaptive electrocatalysts.
Phys
May 29, 23:25
Freeze-dried reagents and hand-powered hardware bring biomanufacturing to remote labs
Researchers at the University of Toronto's Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, working with collaborators around the world, have demonstrated the effectiveness of a suite of low-cost, portable biotechnology tools designed to improve access to laboratory research and diagnostics in resource-limited settings.
TL;DR:
Researchers at the University of Toronto's Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, working with collaborators around the world, have demonstrated the effectiveness of a suite of low-cost, portable biotechnology tools designed to improve access to laboratory research and diagnostics in resource-limited settings.
Phys
May 29, 23:25
Are taxpayers being gaslighted by street lamp charm?
Gas streetlights might look quaint, but researchers at the University of Cincinnati say they are costly, wasteful and release toxic pollutants into the air. In two studies examining their use in Boston, Massachusetts, and Cincinnati, UC researchers found that each lamp releases many times the amount of methane and carbon monoxide of other appliances such as gas stoves and water heaters.
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Gas streetlights might look quaint, but researchers at the University of Cincinnati say they are costly, wasteful and release toxic pollutants into the air. In two studies examining their use in Boston, Massachusetts, and Cincinnati, UC researchers found that each lamp releases many times the amount of methane and carbon monoxide of other appliances such as gas stoves and wate…
TL;DR:
Gas streetlights might look quaint, but researchers at the University of Cincinnati say they are costly, wasteful and release toxic pollutants into the air.
Phys
May 29, 23:25
Plants hit the brakes on immunity to survive viral infections
When viruses invade a plant, you might expect an all-out immune war. But new research published in Science shows that, much like in humans, too strong an immune response can actually do more harm than good.
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Plants hit the brakes on immunity to survive viral infections. When viruses invade a plant, you might expect an all-out immune war. But new research published in Science shows that, much like in humans, too strong an immune response can actually do more harm than good.
TL;DR:
But new research published in Science shows that, much like in humans, too strong an immune response can actually do more harm than good.
Phys
May 29, 23:25
Predator-triggered orange tails may help tadpoles survive by redirecting deadly bites
Bright colors in animals are beautiful but often considered risky because they are more obvious to predators. However, conspicuous colors can also serve defensively, signaling toxicity or even luring predators away from more vulnerable body parts.
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Predator-triggered orange tails may help tadpoles survive by redirecting deadly bites. Bright colors in animals are beautiful but often considered risky because they are more obvious to predators. However, conspicuous colors can also serve defensively, signaling toxicity or even luring predators away from more vulnerable body parts.
TL;DR:
Bright colors in animals are beautiful but often considered risky because they are more obvious to predators.
Phys
May 29, 23:25
Diamond quantum sensor could reveal elusive altermagnets
For nearly a century, there were two known kinds of magnets. Ferromagnets are the classic magnets that attract metal and keep pictures stuck to the refrigerator. Antiferromagnets hide their magnetism at the atomic scale but are increasingly prized for their technological potential. A third category discovered within the last decade may combine the best qualities of both. Dubbed altermagnets, they could someday help create faster, more energy-efficient electronics.
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Diamond quantum sensor could reveal elusive altermagnets. For nearly a century, there were two known kinds of magnets. Dubbed altermagnets, they could someday help create faster, more energy-efficient electronics.
TL;DR:
For nearly a century, there were two known kinds of magnets.
Phys
May 29, 23:25
Fish-microbe partnership may influence ocean health by making carbon-trapping minerals
New research reveals a potential link between the gut microbes of a fish and global ocean processes, offering new insight into how marine ecosystems help regulate ocean chemistry and the marine carbon cycle. The study, titled "Symbiotic bacteria may support calcium carbonate precipitation in the Gulf toadfish," is published in the journal PLOS Biology.
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New research reveals a potential link between the gut microbes of a fish and global ocean processes, offering new insight into how marine ecosystems help regulate ocean chemistry and the marine carbon cycle. The study, titled "Symbiotic bacteria may support calcium carbonate precipitation in the Gulf toadfish," is published in the journal PLOS Biology.
TL;DR:
New research reveals a potential link between the gut microbes of a fish and global ocean processes, offering new insight into how marine ecosystems help regulate ocean chemistry and the marine carbon cycle.
Phys
May 29, 23:25
Modeling the Gulf: A researcher's quest to map every current, particle and tide
Understanding the dynamics of how water moves is deceptively simple in concept and endlessly complex in practice. Real-world marine environments are anything but controlled: weather, seasons, and geography change constantly. Yet understanding water movement is a critical aspect in areas of study like marine biology, coastal and environmental science, and even policy around how we recover from natural disasters.
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Modeling the Gulf: A researcher's quest to map every current, particle and tide. Understanding the dynamics of how water moves is deceptively simple in concept and endlessly complex in practice.
TL;DR:
Understanding the dynamics of how water moves is deceptively simple in concept and endlessly complex in practice.
Phys
May 29, 23:25
New technology to transform professional development in schools
Professional learning and student assessment in schools is set to be transformed, thanks to a first of its kind advance in education technology led by the University of Glasgow.
TL;DR:
Professional learning and student assessment in schools is set to be transformed, thanks to a first of its kind advance in education technology led by the University of Glasgow.
Phys
May 29, 23:25
Painting the growing season in the Maize Triangle
Radar data from an agricultural area in South Africa, shown in a vivid color palette, reveal crop types and how they changed during the Southern Hemisphere's growing season.
TL;DR:
Radar data from an agricultural area in South Africa, shown in a vivid color palette, reveal crop types and how they changed during the Southern Hemisphere's growing season.
Theguardian
May 29, 19:00
Groundbreaking genomic test could spare millions of breast cancer patients chemotherapy
Trial suggests patients with a low test score could be treated with hormone therapy alone with near-identical outcomes ‘Like Christmas’: woman’s relief after test finds she can skip chemotherapy Millions of women with breast cancer could be spared chemotherapy with a groundbreaking genomic test, according to the results of a trial that could transform healthcare guidelines worldwide. Treatment for breast cancer , the world’s most prevalent form of the disease, involves surgery to remove tumours. Chemotherapy is then usually recommended when doctors believe there is a risk the disease will return. Continue reading...
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Groundbreaking genomic test could spare millions of breast cancer patients chemotherapy. Treatment for breast cancer , the world’s most prevalent form of the disease, involves surgery to remove tumours. Chemotherapy is then usually recommended when doctors believe there is a risk the disease will return.
TL;DR:
Trial suggests patients with a low test score could be treated with hormone therapy alone with near-identical outcomes ‘Like Christmas’: woman’s relief after test finds she can skip chemotherapy Millions of women with breast cancer could be spared chemotherapy with a groundbreaking genomic test, according to the results of a trial that could transform healthcare guidelines worldwide.
Theguardian
May 29, 19:00
‘Like Christmas’: woman’s relief after test finds she can skip chemotherapy
Karen Bonham was part of successful trial for genomic test that determines which women with breast cancer can safely avoid chemotherapy Groundbreaking genomic test could spare millions of breast cancer patients chemotherapy A landmark study shows millions of women with breast cancer could skip chemotherapy thanks to a genomic test that determines who needs the treatment and who doesn’t. The randomised international trial specifically looked at whether the test could identify those patients who would not benefit from chemotherapy, and then see if they could safely avoid it. Continue reading...
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Karen Bonham was part of successful trial for genomic test that determines which women with breast cancer can safely avoid chemotherapy Groundbreaking genomic test could spare millions of breast cancer patients chemotherapy A landmark study shows millions of women with breast cancer could skip chemotherapy thanks to a genomic test that determines who needs the treatment and wh…
TL;DR:
Karen Bonham was part of successful trial for genomic test that determines which women with breast cancer can safely avoid chemotherapy Groundbreaking genomic test could spare millions of breast cancer patients chemotherapy A landmark study shows millions of women with breast cancer could skip chemotherapy thanks to a genomic test that determines who needs the treatment and who doesn’t.
Newscientist
May 29, 16:20
Aim high but don't shoot for the moon, mathematicians advise
According to a mathematical model of how people weigh up different outcomes, the optimal strategy is to be ambitious, but not overly so
TL;DR:
According to a mathematical model of how people weigh up different outcomes, the optimal strategy is to be ambitious, but not overly so
Bbc
May 29, 15:53
Rare 'Blue Moon' set to light up UK skies
Sophia Herod explains what is meant by the phrase "Blue Moon" - and it doesn't mean the Moon is turning blue.
TL;DR:
Sophia Herod explains what is meant by the phrase "Blue Moon" - and it doesn't mean the Moon is turning blue.
Newscientist
May 29, 14:00
Horror video game gets its creepiness from a quantum computer
Quantum Backrooms is a horror game in which the player explores eerie rooms. The twist is that the rooms have been generated by a quantum computer
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Horror video game gets its creepiness from a quantum computer. Quantum Backrooms is a horror game in which the player explores eerie rooms. The twist is that the rooms have been generated by a quantum computer
TL;DR:
Quantum Backrooms is a horror game in which the player explores eerie rooms.
Sciencedaily
May 29, 13:21
Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies linked to chronic fatigue
Feeling constantly drained might not just be about poor sleep or working too hard. Researchers in Japan found that low levels of key vitamins — especially vitamin B12 and folate — may quietly contribute to fatigue and lack of motivation, even in otherwise healthy people.
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Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies linked to chronic fatigue. Feeling constantly drained might not just be about poor sleep or working too hard. Researchers in Japan found that low levels of key vitamins — especially vitamin B12 and folate — may quietly contribute to fatigue and lack of motivation, even in otherwise healthy people.
TL;DR:
Researchers in Japan found that low levels of key vitamins — especially vitamin B12 and folate — may quietly contribute to fatigue and lack of motivation, even in otherwise healthy people.
Sciencedaily
May 29, 13:21
Rogue planet moons could harbor alien life for billions of years
Scientists say moons around rogue planets wandering through the galaxy could remain warm enough for life thanks to tidal heating and hydrogen-rich atmospheres. These dark, starless worlds may have had stable oceans for billions of years — long enough for complex life to potentially emerge.
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Rogue planet moons could harbor alien life for billions of years. Scientists say moons around rogue planets wandering through the galaxy could remain warm enough for life thanks to tidal heating and hydrogen-rich atmospheres. These dark, starless worlds may have had stable oceans for billions of years — long enough for complex life to potentially emerge.
TL;DR:
Scientists say moons around rogue planets wandering through the galaxy could remain warm enough for life thanks to tidal heating and hydrogen-rich atmospheres.
Sciencedaily
May 29, 13:21
Twisted graphene reveals a hidden superconductivity switch
Scientists have uncovered a surprising new way to control superconductivity — the mysterious phenomenon where electricity flows with zero energy loss. By pairing twisted layers of graphene with a synthetic diamond material, researchers were able to effectively switch superconductivity on and off by tweaking how electrons interact with their surroundings. Even more intriguing, the material behaved in ways that defied the rules of conventional superconductors, hinting at an entirely new kind of physics.
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Scientists have uncovered a surprising new way to control superconductivity — the mysterious phenomenon where electricity flows with zero energy loss. By pairing twisted layers of graphene with a synthetic diamond material, researchers were able to effectively switch superconductivity on and off by tweaking how electrons interact with their surroundings.
TL;DR:
Scientists have uncovered a surprising new way to control superconductivity — the mysterious phenomenon where electricity flows with zero energy loss.
Sciencedaily
May 29, 13:21
A silent kidney crisis is spreading far faster than experts expected
A sweeping global study found that chronic kidney disease now affects nearly 800 million people and has become one of the world's leading causes of death. Often silent in its early stages, the condition is also a major contributor to heart disease and may be even more common than current estimates suggest.
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A silent kidney crisis is spreading far faster than experts expected. A sweeping global study found that chronic kidney disease now affects nearly 800 million people and has become one of the world's leading causes of death. Often silent in its early stages, the condition is also a major contributor to heart disease and may be even more common than current estimates suggest.
TL;DR:
A sweeping global study found that chronic kidney disease now affects nearly 800 million people and has become one of the world's leading causes of death.
Sciencedaily
May 29, 13:21
Scientists say evolution may work differently than we thought
A major research study is challenging one of evolution’s most influential ideas: that most genetic changes that become permanent are essentially neutral. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that beneficial mutations are actually far more common than scientists have long assumed. The puzzle is that these advantageous mutations rarely spread through entire populations. Their answer? Nature keeps changing the rules.
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Scientists say evolution may work differently than we thought. A major research study is challenging one of evolution’s most influential ideas: that most genetic changes that become permanent are essentially neutral. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that beneficial mutations are actually far more common than scientists have long assumed.
TL;DR:
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that beneficial mutations are actually far more common than scientists have long assumed.
Sciencedaily
May 29, 13:21
This newly discovered raptor may have hunted like a giant heron
A newly discovered raptor-like dinosaur from Patagonia is changing how scientists think about ancient predators. Named Kank australis, the 70-million-year-old dinosaur appears to have hunted fish much like modern herons, using a long, flexible neck and specialized vertebrae adapted for swift, precise movements.
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This newly discovered raptor may have hunted like a giant heron. A newly discovered raptor-like dinosaur from Patagonia is changing how scientists think about ancient predators. Named Kank australis, the 70-million-year-old dinosaur appears to have hunted fish much like modern herons, using a long, flexible neck and specialized vertebrae adapted for swift, precise movements.
TL;DR:
A newly discovered raptor-like dinosaur from Patagonia is changing how scientists think about ancient predators.
Sciencedaily
May 29, 13:21
This bizarre crocodile relative from the Triassic looked like an ostrich dinosaur
Scientists have discovered Labrujasuchus expectatus, a bizarre crocodile relative that looked more like an ostrich-like dinosaur than anything resembling a modern crocodile. It walked on two legs, had tiny arms, and sported a toothless beak—an unexpected combination for a member of the crocodile lineage.
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Scientists have discovered Labrujasuchus expectatus, a bizarre crocodile relative that looked more like an ostrich-like dinosaur than anything resembling a modern crocodile. It walked on two legs, had tiny arms, and sported a toothless beak—an unexpected combination for a member of the crocodile lineage.
TL;DR:
Scientists have discovered Labrujasuchus expectatus, a bizarre crocodile relative that looked more like an ostrich-like dinosaur than anything resembling a modern crocodile.
Sciencedaily
May 29, 13:21
Hidden driving danger when edible cannabis and alcohol mix
Using cannabis edibles and alcohol together may make drivers far more impaired than either substance alone, according to new research from Johns Hopkins. Even more concerning, common field sobriety tests often failed to detect the cannabis-related impairment.
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Hidden driving danger when edible cannabis and alcohol mix. Using cannabis edibles and alcohol together may make drivers far more impaired than either substance alone, according to new research from Johns Hopkins. Even more concerning, common field sobriety tests often failed to detect the cannabis-related impairment.
TL;DR:
Using cannabis edibles and alcohol together may make drivers far more impaired than either substance alone, according to new research from Johns Hopkins.
Sciencedaily
May 29, 13:21
Astronomers finally solve Saturn’s decades-long spin mystery
A decades-old mystery about Saturn has finally been solved thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope. Scientists discovered that Saturn’s changing “rotation rate” was never caused by the planet speeding up or slowing down, but by powerful winds high in its atmosphere. Webb’s unprecedented observations revealed that Saturn’s northern lights actively heat the atmosphere, creating winds that generate electrical currents, which then power the aurora all over again in a self-sustaining cycle.
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Astronomers finally solve Saturn’s decades-long spin mystery. A decades-old mystery about Saturn has finally been solved thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope. Scientists discovered that Saturn’s changing “rotation rate” was never caused by the planet speeding up or slowing down, but by powerful winds high in its atmosphere.
TL;DR:
A decades-old mystery about Saturn has finally been solved thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope.
Theguardian
May 29, 13:00
Don’t shoot for the moon: aiming for ‘above average’ is key to success, maths suggests
Model created by researchers shows better outcomes are often more likely when people are not too ambitious It is the end of an idiom for motivational speakers. Instead of shooting for the moon when pursuing life’s goals, researchers say people should be advised to aim a little lower if they want the best outcome. The tip may lack the punch of uncompromising drive, but aiming for merely above average tends to work out better, according to a mathematical model the team created to explore how ambition pans out. Continue reading...
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Don’t shoot for the moon: aiming for ‘above average’ is key to success, maths suggests. Instead of shooting for the moon when pursuing life’s goals, researchers say people should be advised to aim a little lower if they want the best outcome.
TL;DR:
Model created by researchers shows better outcomes are often more likely when people are not too ambitious It is the end of an idiom for motivational speakers.
Newscientist
May 29, 13:00
We're becoming more individualistic and it's affecting our love lives
We're increasingly prioritising our own needs over those of the wider community, which may be causing us to love our partners less intensely
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We're increasingly prioritising our own needs over those of the wider community, which may be causing us to love our partners less intensely
Newscientist
May 29, 13:00
Mirror life: Scientists clash over threat of lab-engineered bacteria
Bacteria created using mirror images of natural biomolecules would pose a grave threat to life on Earth, some researchers warn, but a new study suggests they would struggle to survive in the wild
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Bacteria created using mirror images of natural biomolecules would pose a grave threat to life on Earth, some researchers warn, but a new study suggests they would struggle to survive in the wild
Bbc
May 29, 12:48
What does Blue Origin rocket mishap mean for Nasa's Moon mission?
Science correspondent Pallab Ghosh explains why the explosion is a setback for space exploration.
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What does Blue Origin rocket mishap mean for Nasa's Moon mission?. Science correspondent Pallab Ghosh explains why the explosion is a setback for space exploration.
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Science correspondent Pallab Ghosh explains why the explosion is a setback for space exploration.
Bbc
May 29, 10:38
Exploding rocket casts doubts over Nasa's Moon plans
Explosion of Blue Origin rocket is a setback for the company and for Nasa's Moon plans.
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Explosion of Blue Origin rocket is a setback for the company and for Nasa's Moon plans.
Newscientist
May 29, 10:00
Pancreatic cancer halted by virus injection in three patients
A cancer-killing virus has stopped pancreatic tumours from growing and spreading in three people in an initial safety trial, raising hopes that it may help to beat the deadly condition
TL;DR:
A cancer-killing virus has stopped pancreatic tumours from growing and spreading in three people in an initial safety trial, raising hopes that it may help to beat the deadly condition
Newscientist
May 29, 10:00
Q-Day could destroy Bitcoin – and our retirement savings
Even if you’ve never bought any cryptocurrency, like columnist Karmela Padavic-Callaghan, your money may be affected by Bitcoin’s fate – which is uncertain, as quantum computing advances are threatening to make the encryption protecting it useless
TL;DR:
Even if you’ve never bought any cryptocurrency, like columnist Karmela Padavic-Callaghan, your money may be affected by Bitcoin’s fate – which is uncertain, as quantum computing advances are threatening to make the encryption protecting it useless
Bbc
May 29, 09:51
Ospreys hatch fourth and final egg of the season
Webcams show the fourth chick emerging as the mother feeds the other three with fish.
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Webcams show the fourth chick emerging as the mother feeds the other three with fish.
Newscientist
May 29, 09:30
Read an extract from The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
Dive into the opening of The Selfish Gene's first chapter 'Why are people?', the New Scientist Book Club’s read for June to mark 50 years since the popular science classic was first published
TL;DR:
Dive into the opening of The Selfish Gene's first chapter 'Why are people?', the New Scientist Book Club’s read for June to mark 50 years since the popular science classic was first published
Bbc
May 29, 09:26
Clean-up of one of Europe's largest illegal dumps 'could begin in 2028'
Environment Minister Andrew Muir says it could take up to five years to complete work on the Mobuoy site.
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Clean-up of one of Europe's largest illegal dumps 'could begin in 2028'. Environment Minister Andrew Muir says it could take up to five years to complete work on the Mobuoy site.
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Environment Minister Andrew Muir says it could take up to five years to complete work on the Mobuoy site.
Newscientist
May 29, 07:00
Glaciers in the 'roof of the world' have suddenly started melting
Until recently, the Pamir mountains in central Asia have bucked the global melting trend, but in 2025, the region’s glaciers experienced a massive loss of ice due to extreme heat
TL;DR:
Until recently, the Pamir mountains in central Asia have bucked the global melting trend, but in 2025, the region’s glaciers experienced a massive loss of ice due to extreme heat
Bbc
May 29, 05:16
Farmers warn food security can't be taken for granted
Farmers at the Bath and West Show say there are strong parallels between energy and food security.
TL;DR:
Farmers at the Bath and West Show say there are strong parallels between energy and food security.
Bbc
May 29, 05:11
Record numbers of Dartford warblers at nature site
A survey of heathland birds found a record 97 pairs of Dartford Warblers at RSPB Arne in Dorset.
TL;DR:
A survey of heathland birds found a record 97 pairs of Dartford Warblers at RSPB Arne in Dorset.
Bbc
May 29, 03:02
Moment Blue Origin rocket explodes during test in Florida
A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded on a launch pad at Cape Canaveral in Florida on Thursday night.
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A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded on a launch pad at Cape Canaveral in Florida on Thursday night.
Bbc
May 29, 02:59
Blue Origin rocket explodes into huge ball of flame on Florida launch pad
Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos, who founded Blue Origin, said it was a "very rough day".
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Blue Origin rocket explodes into huge ball of flame on Florida launch pad. Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos, who founded Blue Origin, said it was a "very rough day".
TL;DR:
Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos, who founded Blue Origin, said it was a "very rough day".
Sciencedaily
May 29, 01:57
Human organoids reveal how to reverse “irreversible” nerve damage
Cambridge researchers created miniature brain-and-spinal-cord systems in the lab that can send signals and even trigger tiny muscle contractions. They discovered that human neurons gradually lose their ability to regrow after damage during development — but that ability can potentially be switched back on. The team identified a gene network controlling this process and found that an existing hormone drug dramatically boosted nerve fiber regrowth.
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Human organoids reveal how to reverse “irreversible” nerve damage. They discovered that human neurons gradually lose their ability to regrow after damage during development — but that ability can potentially be switched back on. The team identified a gene network controlling this process and found that an existing hormone drug dramatically boosted nerve fiber regrowth.
TL;DR:
Cambridge researchers created miniature brain-and-spinal-cord systems in the lab that can send signals and even trigger tiny muscle contractions.
Bbc
May 28, 23:36
Portugal breaks hottest May day record as Europe swelters in heatwave
French students are taking their exams in baking schools, while red alerts are issued in Italy.
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Portugal breaks hottest May day record as Europe swelters in heatwave. French students are taking their exams in baking schools, while red alerts are issued in Italy.
TL;DR:
French students are taking their exams in baking schools, while red alerts are issued in Italy.
Phys
May 28, 23:23
Why the most massive galaxies in the early universe stopped forming stars prematurely
Astronomical observations show that the most massive galaxies in the early universe formed approximately three to four billion years after the Big Bang and stopped producing stars very early in cosmic history, around one billion years after their formation. This strange behavior has puzzled experts in the field. For comparison, our galaxy, the Milky Way, is as old as the universe itself and continues to produce stars, albeit at a low rate, even 13.5 billion years after its formation.
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Astronomical observations show that the most massive galaxies in the early universe formed approximately three to four billion years after the Big Bang and stopped producing stars very early in cosmic history, around one billion years after their formation. This strange behavior has puzzled experts in the field.
TL;DR:
Astronomical observations show that the most massive galaxies in the early universe formed approximately three to four billion years after the Big Bang and stopped producing stars very early in cosmic history, around one billion years after their formation.
Phys
May 28, 23:23
A 'Balrog' in the tunnels: Scientists discover a new cave cricket species on the tiny island of Kastellorizo, Greece
Despite the intensity of modern exploration, the eastern Mediterranean continues to yield unexpected discoveries. On the small Greek island of Kastellorizo, researchers have documented a previously unknown cave cricket thriving within a network of man-made tunnels.
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A 'Balrog' in the tunnels: Scientists discover a new cave cricket species on the tiny island of Kastellorizo, Greece. Despite the intensity of modern exploration, the eastern Mediterranean continues to yield unexpected discoveries.
TL;DR:
Despite the intensity of modern exploration, the eastern Mediterranean continues to yield unexpected discoveries.
Phys
May 28, 23:23
The human gaze speaks to children, who remain insensitive to the gaze of humanoid robots
Very young children (even as young as 3 years old) can read intention and preferences in the eyes of a person, but they do not recognize this type of nonverbal communication in the gaze of a humanoid robot.
TL;DR:
Very young children (even as young as 3 years old) can read intention and preferences in the eyes of a person, but they do not recognize this type of nonverbal communication in the gaze of a humanoid robot.
Phys
May 28, 23:23
MIZ-ing in action: How much of Antarctic sea ice is affected by waves?
Using old satellite radar techniques, scientists have developed a new way of measuring the true extent of an understudied and crucial region of the Antarctic sea-ice system for the first time. The Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) around Antarctica is the "outer edge" of the sea ice, forming a nearly 200-kilometer-wide ring of ice floes affected by waves from the extremely rough Southern Ocean.
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Using old satellite radar techniques, scientists have developed a new way of measuring the true extent of an understudied and crucial region of the Antarctic sea-ice system for the first time.
TL;DR:
Using old satellite radar techniques, scientists have developed a new way of measuring the true extent of an understudied and crucial region of the Antarctic sea-ice system for the first time.
Phys
May 28, 23:23
Something just passed between us and a distant star
On the night of 18 December 2019, a star in our satellite galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud, briefly got brighter. Not dramatically nor explosively, just a smooth symmetrical rise and fall in brightness lasting about an hour, as though something had passed in front of it and bent its light toward us. Then it returned to normal and was never seen to vary again.
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Something just passed between us and a distant star. On the night of 18 December 2019, a star in our satellite galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud, briefly got brighter. Not dramatically nor explosively, just a smooth symmetrical rise and fall in brightness lasting about an hour, as though something had passed in front of it and bent its light toward us.
TL;DR:
On the night of 18 December 2019, a star in our satellite galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud, briefly got brighter.
Phys
May 28, 23:23
Silver nanoparticles enable assembly of a theorized, previously unobserved crystal metallic structure
Using finely tuned nanoscale building blocks, researchers from Brown University and the University of Michigan College of Engineering have stabilized a fleeting structural phase of matter that had been predicted theoretically but never before stabilized in a physical material.
TL;DR:
Using finely tuned nanoscale building blocks, researchers from Brown University and the University of Michigan College of Engineering have stabilized a fleeting structural phase of matter that had been predicted theoretically but never before stabilized in a physical material.
Phys
May 28, 23:23
Italians and Dutch share the same gestural instinct for teaching, research reveals
Italians are famous for speaking with their hands. But a new international study suggests that when it comes to teaching children, adults everywhere instinctively become more expressive with their gestures—even in cultures known for gesturing less.
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Italians and Dutch share the same gestural instinct for teaching, research reveals. Italians are famous for speaking with their hands. But a new international study suggests that when it comes to teaching children, adults everywhere instinctively become more expressive with their gestures—even in cultures known for gesturing less.
TL;DR:
Italians are famous for speaking with their hands.
Phys
May 28, 23:23
Oceanic regime shifts affect subarctic moth communities—impacts divide species into winners and losers
Regime shifts in the Atlantic Ocean, which have subsequently affected the Baltic Sea, are also impacting moths in Lapland, according to a new study conducted at the University of Turku in Finland. The paper is published in the journal Insect Conservation and Diversity.
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Oceanic regime shifts affect subarctic moth communities—impacts divide species into winners and losers. Regime shifts in the Atlantic Ocean, which have subsequently affected the Baltic Sea, are also impacting moths in Lapland, according to a new study conducted at the University of Turku in Finland. The paper is published in the journal Insect Conservation and Diversity.
TL;DR:
Regime shifts in the Atlantic Ocean, which have subsequently affected the Baltic Sea, are also impacting moths in Lapland, according to a new study conducted at the University of Turku in Finland.
Phys
May 28, 23:23
Electrical 'knob' can switch light on, off and tune intensity at the nanoscale
Physicists from Emory University have led work to develop a microscopic, nonlinear light source that can be switched on, off or tuned to a particular intensity by an electrical "knob." The paper is published in the journal Optica, and could aid in the design of smaller, more flexible technologies for communications, sensing and quantum computing.
TL;DR:
Physicists from Emory University have led work to develop a microscopic, nonlinear light source that can be switched on, off or tuned to a particular intensity by an electrical "knob." The paper is published in the journal Optica, and could aid in the design of smaller, more flexible technologies for communications, sensing and quantum computing.
Phys
May 28, 23:23
Peering into the Milky Way's far side, Roman could unveil 100,000 worlds
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is poised to make a major leap in the hunt for worlds outside our solar system, known as exoplanets. Scientists expect the mission to reveal around 100,000 worlds—a staggering leap compared to the nearly 6,300 found so far thanks to NASA missions working in tandem with other observatories. And Roman will primarily find them in underexplored regions of the Milky Way.
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NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is poised to make a major leap in the hunt for worlds outside our solar system, known as exoplanets. Scientists expect the mission to reveal around 100,000 worlds—a staggering leap compared to the nearly 6,300 found so far thanks to NASA missions working in tandem with other observatories.
TL;DR:
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is poised to make a major leap in the hunt for worlds outside our solar system, known as exoplanets.
Phys
May 28, 23:23
'Diversifying' social feeds can cut exposure to toxic content and preserve enjoyment
A new study from Northwestern University and the University of Chicago offers underlying evidence that the engagement-based algorithms used by major social media platforms amplify intergroup, moralized, emotional (IME) and toxic political content—and that a relatively simple redesign can reduce that amplification without hurting users' overall experience of the platform.
TL;DR:
A new study from Northwestern University and the University of Chicago offers underlying evidence that the engagement-based algorithms used by major social media platforms amplify intergroup, moralized, emotional (IME) and toxic political content—and that a relatively simple redesign can reduce that amplification without hurting users' overall experience of the platform.
Phys
May 28, 23:23
No single path makes youth champions, review of 60 sports analyses shows
How do you create the top athletes of the future? A large-scale study by researchers from the VUB's SPLISS research group shows that there is no ready-made recipe. The road to the podium is non-linear and requires a holistic approach in which fun, health and the environment are central.
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No single path makes youth champions, review of 60 sports analyses shows. A large-scale study by researchers from the VUB's SPLISS research group shows that there is no ready-made recipe. The road to the podium is non-linear and requires a holistic approach in which fun, health and the environment are central.
TL;DR:
How do you create the top athletes of the future?
Phys
May 28, 23:23
Human-linked foraging reshapes dolphin social networks in Florida over decades
Wild dolphins are known for their complex social lives, but new research shows those social networks can be influenced by human activity.
TL;DR:
Wild dolphins are known for their complex social lives, but new research shows those social networks can be influenced by human activity.
Phys
May 28, 23:23
Plants exhibit remarkable tolerance to protein translation errors
The precise synthesis of proteins is considered essential for cellular function. Now, a team led by LMU biologists Dr. Benjamin Brandt and Professor Hans-Henning Kunz has demonstrated for the first time that plants can cope with mistranslations during protein synthesis far more robustly than other organisms studied to date.
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Plants exhibit remarkable tolerance to protein translation errors. The precise synthesis of proteins is considered essential for cellular function. Benjamin Brandt and Professor Hans-Henning Kunz has demonstrated for the first time that plants can cope with mistranslations during protein synthesis far more robustly than other organisms studied to date.
TL;DR:
The precise synthesis of proteins is considered essential for cellular function.
Phys
May 28, 23:23
How do you know a bowhead whale is feeding? It's all in the way it moves, shows study
For years, scientists studying bowhead whales have relied on a simple idea: if a whale makes a long, square or U-shaped dive, it's feeding time. A new study demonstrates that assumption may not hold water.
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For years, scientists studying bowhead whales have relied on a simple idea: if a whale makes a long, square or U-shaped dive, it's feeding time. A new study demonstrates that assumption may not hold water.
TL;DR:
For years, scientists studying bowhead whales have relied on a simple idea: if a whale makes a long, square or U-shaped dive, it's feeding time.
Phys
May 28, 23:23
Genetically engineering cyanobacteria for the production of sulfated polysaccharide
Biomolecules are naturally occurring molecules that form the basis of living systems. They are widely used in the production of a diverse range of materials. One such widely used biomolecule is sulfated polysaccharide (SPS), which includes sugar molecules attached to sulfate groups. These are widely used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and functional materials due to their unique physical and biological properties. However, commercially available SPSs are usually derived from animal or marine sources, which raises concerns about their environmental impact, calling for alternative SPS production methods.
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Genetically engineering cyanobacteria for the production of sulfated polysaccharide. They are widely used in the production of a diverse range of materials. One such widely used biomolecule is sulfated polysaccharide (SPS), which includes sugar molecules attached to sulfate groups.
TL;DR:
Biomolecules are naturally occurring molecules that form the basis of living systems.
Phys
May 28, 23:23
Nitrogen-fixing genes moved into new bacterial strains, opening path beyond fertilizer
Most major crops, such as wheat and corn, require expensive nitrogen fertilizer to flourish. But what if bacteria could help those plants draw nitrogen from the atmosphere, as peas and beans do?
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Nitrogen-fixing genes moved into new bacterial strains, opening path beyond fertilizer. Most major crops, such as wheat and corn, require expensive nitrogen fertilizer to flourish. But what if bacteria could help those plants draw nitrogen from the atmosphere, as peas and beans do?
TL;DR:
Most major crops, such as wheat and corn, require expensive nitrogen fertilizer to flourish.
Phys
May 28, 23:23
Ammonia levels in urine could serve as marker for chronic kidney disease in dogs
Dogs with lower urine ammonia-to-creatinine ratios (UACR) may suffer from faster progression of kidney disease and higher fatality rates, according to new research from North Carolina State University. The work suggests that UACR levels may be a useful marker for identifying dogs that may benefit from certain kidney disease therapies.
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Dogs with lower urine ammonia-to-creatinine ratios (UACR) may suffer from faster progression of kidney disease and higher fatality rates, according to new research from North Carolina State University. The work suggests that UACR levels may be a useful marker for identifying dogs that may benefit from certain kidney disease therapies.
TL;DR:
Dogs with lower urine ammonia-to-creatinine ratios (UACR) may suffer from faster progression of kidney disease and higher fatality rates, according to new research from North Carolina State University.
Phys
May 28, 23:22
Shock waves show how baby stars' cradles get their radial shape in 3D simulations
The universe is full of fascinating structures, and some of the most striking take shape inside the giant clouds where stars are born. There, streams of gas appear to converge from all directions toward a dense central hub, like spokes meeting at the center of a wheel.
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Shock waves show how baby stars' cradles get their radial shape in 3D simulations. The universe is full of fascinating structures, and some of the most striking take shape inside the giant clouds where stars are born. There, streams of gas appear to converge from all directions toward a dense central hub, like spokes meeting at the center of a wheel.
TL;DR:
The universe is full of fascinating structures, and some of the most striking take shape inside the giant clouds where stars are born.
Phys
May 28, 23:22
Quantum entanglement provides a new framework for understanding chemical bonding
Chemical bonding is one of the central organizing principles of the microscopic world. It determines how atoms combine and thereby governs a wide range of physical and chemical properties of quantum systems across many length scales, ranging from small molecules and biomolecules to macroscopically large solid materials.
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Quantum entanglement provides a new framework for understanding chemical bonding. Chemical bonding is one of the central organizing principles of the microscopic world. It determines how atoms combine and thereby governs a wide range of physical and chemical properties of quantum systems across many length scales, ranging from small molecules and biomolecules to macroscopicall…
TL;DR:
Chemical bonding is one of the central organizing principles of the microscopic world.
Phys
May 28, 23:22
AI and drones can help improve early warning systems for Vibrio bacteria in the Baltic Sea
The presence of the marine bacterium Vibrio vulnificus, which is potentially dangerous to humans, can now be predicted up to five weeks in advance in the Baltic Sea using artificial intelligence (AI). A research team led by the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) has reached this conclusion by combining high-resolution environmental, satellite, and microbiome data in an AI-based analysis.
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The presence of the marine bacterium Vibrio vulnificus, which is potentially dangerous to humans, can now be predicted up to five weeks in advance in the Baltic Sea using artificial intelligence (AI).
TL;DR:
The presence of the marine bacterium Vibrio vulnificus, which is potentially dangerous to humans, can now be predicted up to five weeks in advance in the Baltic Sea using artificial intelligence (AI).
Phys
May 28, 23:22
Ultrafast holographic imaging reveals electron and magnetic dynamics inside next-generation materials
An extremely fast microscopy method to research the interaction of light and matter makes it possible to study optical processes on very short timescales. To this end, a German–Italian research team is combining holographic imaging with ultrafast spectroscopy in an innovative way. In this manner, even extremely short-lived electronic and magnetic phenomena—which play a major role in the development and application of novel energy materials—can be observed.
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Ultrafast holographic imaging reveals electron and magnetic dynamics inside next-generation materials. To this end, a German–Italian research team is combining holographic imaging with ultrafast spectroscopy in an innovative way.
TL;DR:
An extremely fast microscopy method to research the interaction of light and matter makes it possible to study optical processes on very short timescales.
Phys
May 28, 23:22
Heron-like, fish-eating dinosaur from 70 million years ago discovered in Argentina
A new raptor-like dinosaur from some 70 million years ago that ate fish and behaved like modern herons has been unearthed from southern Patagonia. The new species, which has been named Kank australis, was identified based on the discovery of fossil remains including teeth, vertebrae, and toe bones.
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A new raptor-like dinosaur from some 70 million years ago that ate fish and behaved like modern herons has been unearthed from southern Patagonia. The new species, which has been named Kank australis, was identified based on the discovery of fossil remains including teeth, vertebrae, and toe bones.
TL;DR:
A new raptor-like dinosaur from some 70 million years ago that ate fish and behaved like modern herons has been unearthed from southern Patagonia.
Phys
May 28, 23:22
Red dwarf stars detected 'eating' Earth-like planets
Astronomers have found some of the strongest evidence yet that stars can swallow their own planets. A new study, published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, supports the long-held belief that young stars are capable of "eating" nearby worlds as planetary systems form.
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Red dwarf stars detected 'eating' Earth-like planets. Astronomers have found some of the strongest evidence yet that stars can swallow their own planets. A new study, published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, supports the long-held belief that young stars are capable of "eating" nearby worlds as planetary systems form.
TL;DR:
Astronomers have found some of the strongest evidence yet that stars can swallow their own planets.
Phys
May 28, 23:22
Longer droughts and changes in rainfall are already occurring in the Amazon, research finds
According to two recently published studies led by scientists from Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the Brazilian Amazon is already beginning to experience scenarios previously projected for the coming decades, including longer dry seasons and changes in rainfall patterns. Without integrated policies and initiatives to combat climate change, the situation could rapidly intensify, posing risks to biodiversity, the replenishment of natural water reservoirs, and the functioning of the forest.
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According to two recently published studies led by scientists from Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the Brazilian Amazon is already beginning to experience scenarios previously projected for the coming decades, including longer dry seasons and changes in rainfall patterns.
TL;DR:
According to two recently published studies led by scientists from Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the Brazilian Amazon is already beginning to experience scenarios previously projected for the coming decades, including longer dry seasons and changes in rainfall patterns.
Phys
May 28, 23:22
New ammonia-making method could upend one of industry's dirtiest processes
As our world's population grows, so does the demand for ammonia—a key ingredient in fertilizer. The International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that ammonia production must quadruple by 2050 to feed the increase in global population.
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New ammonia-making method could upend one of industry's dirtiest processes. As our world's population grows, so does the demand for ammonia—a key ingredient in fertilizer. The International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that ammonia production must quadruple by 2050 to feed the increase in global population.
TL;DR:
As our world's population grows, so does the demand for ammonia—a key ingredient in fertilizer.
Phys
May 28, 23:22
Taller structures produce more blaze-spreading embers, research suggests
Test burns involving wooden structures of varying heights suggest taller buildings tend to be more prolific producers of the wind-carried firebrands that are a leading cause of structure ignition in wildfires. The findings, published by Oregon State University College of Engineering researchers in Applications in Energy and Combustion Science are a step toward better predicting how fires in the wildland-urban interface will spread and also toward designing buildings that can help communities be more resilient to wildfire, the authors say.
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Test burns involving wooden structures of varying heights suggest taller buildings tend to be more prolific producers of the wind-carried firebrands that are a leading cause of structure ignition in wildfires.
TL;DR:
Test burns involving wooden structures of varying heights suggest taller buildings tend to be more prolific producers of the wind-carried firebrands that are a leading cause of structure ignition in wildfires.
Phys
May 28, 23:22
How bacteria survive with almost no oxygen— and why blocking one enzyme could aid new antibiotics
Researchers in Leiden have, for the first time, observed how a specialized enzyme helps bacteria stay alive when oxygen levels are low, and how that process can be blocked. The study, published in Science Advances, opens up new possibilities for targeted antibiotics.
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How bacteria survive with almost no oxygen— and why blocking one enzyme could aid new antibiotics. Researchers in Leiden have, for the first time, observed how a specialized enzyme helps bacteria stay alive when oxygen levels are low, and how that process can be blocked. The study, published in Science Advances, opens up new possibilities for targeted antibiotics.
TL;DR:
Researchers in Leiden have, for the first time, observed how a specialized enzyme helps bacteria stay alive when oxygen levels are low, and how that process can be blocked.
Phys
May 28, 23:22
Mineral clues in Gale Crater track ancient Mars climate change
While NASA imagery has shown evidence of ancient rivers and lakes on Mars that transitioned to dry dunes, uncertainty remains over the timing of the environmental changes that may have contributed to these shifts.
TL;DR:
While NASA imagery has shown evidence of ancient rivers and lakes on Mars that transitioned to dry dunes, uncertainty remains over the timing of the environmental changes that may have contributed to these shifts.
Phys
May 28, 23:22
Training, not silence: With support, teachers can address racism, xenophobia in any classroom
Teachers can address structural racism and xenophobia with students of any age and in any subject when schools provide training, materials, and professional support, say University of Michigan researchers.
TL;DR:
Teachers can address structural racism and xenophobia with students of any age and in any subject when schools provide training, materials, and professional support, say University of Michigan researchers.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Lost for 150,000 years: Rainforest discovery upends human history
For decades, scientists believed ancient humans avoided dense rainforests, treating them as nearly impossible environments for early survival. But a groundbreaking discovery in West Africa is rewriting that story. Researchers uncovered evidence that humans were living deep within rainforest environments in present-day Côte d'Ivoire around 150,000 years ago — far earlier than anyone thought possible.
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For decades, scientists believed ancient humans avoided dense rainforests, treating them as nearly impossible environments for early survival. But a groundbreaking discovery in West Africa is rewriting that story.
TL;DR:
For decades, scientists believed ancient humans avoided dense rainforests, treating them as nearly impossible environments for early survival.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Humpback whale breaks migration record with 15,000 kilometer ocean journey
Scientists have uncovered an astonishing new chapter in humpback whale migration: two whales were found to have traveled between breeding grounds in Australia and Brazil, crossing more than 14,000 kilometers of open ocean. One whale shattered records by covering at least 15,100 kilometers between sightings, marking the longest confirmed journey ever documented for an individual humpback whale.
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Scientists have uncovered an astonishing new chapter in humpback whale migration: two whales were found to have traveled between breeding grounds in Australia and Brazil, crossing more than 14,000 kilometers of open ocean.
TL;DR:
Scientists have uncovered an astonishing new chapter in humpback whale migration: two whales were found to have traveled between breeding grounds in Australia and Brazil, crossing more than 14,000 kilometers of open ocean.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists discover why Alzheimer’s risk hits women so much harder
Women may be especially sensitive to the effects of common dementia risk factors, according to a new UC San Diego study of over 17,000 adults. Researchers say tailoring prevention strategies specifically for women could be key to reducing Alzheimer’s risk.
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Scientists discover why Alzheimer’s risk hits women so much harder. Women may be especially sensitive to the effects of common dementia risk factors, according to a new UC San Diego study of over 17,000 adults. Researchers say tailoring prevention strategies specifically for women could be key to reducing Alzheimer’s risk.
TL;DR:
Women may be especially sensitive to the effects of common dementia risk factors, according to a new UC San Diego study of over 17,000 adults.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
T. rex’s tiny arms may have evolved for a surprisingly brutal reason
Why did T. rex have such tiny arms? Scientists now think it’s because its giant head became the ultimate hunting tool. Across multiple dinosaur groups, stronger skulls and crushing jaws evolved alongside shrinking forelimbs, especially in predators hunting enormous prey. In other words, once the bite became deadly enough, the arms may have stopped mattering.
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rex’s tiny arms may have evolved for a surprisingly brutal reason. Scientists now think it’s because its giant head became the ultimate hunting tool. In other words, once the bite became deadly enough, the arms may have stopped mattering.
TL;DR:
rex have such tiny arms?
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists discover massive natural hydrogen source beneath Canada
Scientists in Canada have discovered that ancient underground rocks are naturally producing hydrogen gas — and lots of it. Measurements from mine boreholes in Ontario show the gas can flow continuously for years, offering a potential new source of clean energy called “white hydrogen.” Researchers say this hidden resource could help power industries and remote communities while cutting carbon emissions and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
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Scientists discover massive natural hydrogen source beneath Canada. Scientists in Canada have discovered that ancient underground rocks are naturally producing hydrogen gas — and lots of it. Measurements from mine boreholes in Ontario show the gas can flow continuously for years, offering a potential new source of clean energy called “white hydrogen.
TL;DR:
Scientists in Canada have discovered that ancient underground rocks are naturally producing hydrogen gas — and lots of it.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists use DNA from poop to save the world’s rarest marsupial
Scientists in Australia are using cutting-edge DNA techniques to help save one of the world’s rarest marsupials — the critically endangered Gilbert’s potoroo, with fewer than 150 left in the wild. By analyzing tiny traces of DNA in the animals’ scat, researchers uncovered clues about the elusive fungi the potoroos depend on for survival. The findings could help conservationists identify safer new habitats and establish backup populations before disasters like bushfires wipe them out.
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Scientists in Australia are using cutting-edge DNA techniques to help save one of the world’s rarest marsupials — the critically endangered Gilbert’s potoroo, with fewer than 150 left in the wild. By analyzing tiny traces of DNA in the animals’ scat, researchers uncovered clues about the elusive fungi the potoroos depend on for survival.
TL;DR:
Scientists in Australia are using cutting-edge DNA techniques to help save one of the world’s rarest marsupials — the critically endangered Gilbert’s potoroo, with fewer than 150 left in the wild.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists found a giant magnetic “twist” hidden inside the Milky Way
Astronomers have uncovered a strange magnetic “flip” hidden inside the Milky Way. Using a new radio telescope, researchers mapped the galaxy’s magnetic field in unprecedented detail and discovered that a mysterious reversal in the Sagittarius Arm cuts diagonally across space. The finding could reshape how scientists understand the structure and future evolution of our galaxy.
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Scientists found a giant magnetic “twist” hidden inside the Milky Way. Astronomers have uncovered a strange magnetic “flip” hidden inside the Milky Way. The finding could reshape how scientists understand the structure and future evolution of our galaxy.
TL;DR:
Astronomers have uncovered a strange magnetic “flip” hidden inside the Milky Way.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Britain’s 11,000-year-old “oldest northerner” was a 3-year-old girl, DNA reveals
Scientists have identified the oldest known human remains in Northern Britain as a young girl who lived around 11,000 years ago. Found in a Cumbrian cave and nicknamed the “Ossick Lass,” she was likely between 2.5 and 3.5 years old when she died. Nearby jewelry and evidence of multiple burials suggest the cave held deep spiritual importance for some of Britain’s earliest hunter-gatherers. The discovery is shedding new light on life — and death — just after the Ice Age.
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Britain’s 11,000-year-old “oldest northerner” was a 3-year-old girl, DNA reveals. Scientists have identified the oldest known human remains in Northern Britain as a young girl who lived around 11,000 years ago. Found in a Cumbrian cave and nicknamed the “Ossick Lass,” she was likely between 2.5 and 3.5 years old when she died.
TL;DR:
Scientists have identified the oldest known human remains in Northern Britain as a young girl who lived around 11,000 years ago.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists use light to create tiny molecules that could transform medicine
Researchers have developed a light-driven method for creating tiny, high-energy “housane” molecules that are valuable for drug development and materials science. These compact ring-shaped structures are difficult to produce because of the intense internal strain they contain. By using photocatalysis and carefully tuning the starting molecules, the team managed to guide the reaction into a clean and efficient pathway.
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Researchers have developed a light-driven method for creating tiny, high-energy “housane” molecules that are valuable for drug development and materials science. These compact ring-shaped structures are difficult to produce because of the intense internal strain they contain.
TL;DR:
Researchers have developed a light-driven method for creating tiny, high-energy “housane” molecules that are valuable for drug development and materials science.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists found a hidden Alzheimer’s trigger and shut it down
A newly identified enzyme called IDOL could become a major new target in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that removing it from neurons sharply reduced amyloid plaques and improved key brain processes linked to resilience and communication between cells. The discovery may lead to future treatments that go beyond slowing Alzheimer’s — potentially helping protect the brain from further decline.
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Scientists found a hidden Alzheimer’s trigger and shut it down. Researchers found that removing it from neurons sharply reduced amyloid plaques and improved key brain processes linked to resilience and communication between cells. The discovery may lead to future treatments that go beyond slowing Alzheimer’s — potentially helping protect the brain from further decline.
TL;DR:
A newly identified enzyme called IDOL could become a major new target in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
New quantum sensor could count individual photons and hunt dark matter
Researchers have built an ultra-sensitive sensor capable of detecting unimaginably small amounts of energy — below one zeptojoule. The breakthrough relies on fragile superconducting materials that react to even the slightest temperature change. This level of precision could improve quantum computers, enable photon counting, and even help scientists detect elusive dark matter particles from space.
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New quantum sensor could count individual photons and hunt dark matter. Researchers have built an ultra-sensitive sensor capable of detecting unimaginably small amounts of energy — below one zeptojoule. This level of precision could improve quantum computers, enable photon counting, and even help scientists detect elusive dark matter particles from space.
TL;DR:
Researchers have built an ultra-sensitive sensor capable of detecting unimaginably small amounts of energy — below one zeptojoule.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists solve 320-million-year mystery of reptile bone armor
Reptiles have been growing armor in their skin on and off for hundreds of millions of years, but scientists never fully understood how it evolved. A massive new evolutionary study shows these skin bones appeared independently in multiple lizard groups rather than coming from a single armored ancestor. Even more astonishing, Australian goannas lost this armor long ago — then evolved it back again millions of years later.
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Scientists solve 320-million-year mystery of reptile bone armor. Reptiles have been growing armor in their skin on and off for hundreds of millions of years, but scientists never fully understood how it evolved. Even more astonishing, Australian goannas lost this armor long ago — then evolved it back again millions of years later.
TL;DR:
Reptiles have been growing armor in their skin on and off for hundreds of millions of years, but scientists never fully understood how it evolved.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
UNESCO warns a tsunami in the Mediterranean is inevitable
The French Riviera may look like an unlikely place for a tsunami disaster, but scientists warn the threat is far more real than most people realize. Historical events and new modeling show that destructive waves have already struck the Mediterranean coast — and could hit again with very little warning. Some tsunami scenarios could reach beaches in under 10 minutes, leaving almost no time for traditional alerts.
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UNESCO warns a tsunami in the Mediterranean is inevitable. The French Riviera may look like an unlikely place for a tsunami disaster, but scientists warn the threat is far more real than most people realize. Some tsunami scenarios could reach beaches in under 10 minutes, leaving almost no time for traditional alerts.
TL;DR:
The French Riviera may look like an unlikely place for a tsunami disaster, but scientists warn the threat is far more real than most people realize.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists discover a strange “inside-out” planetary system that shouldn’t exist
Scientists have discovered a bizarre planetary system where a rocky world orbits farther out than giant gas planets, defying long-standing theories of planet formation. The finding hints that some planets may form much later than expected — and that our Solar System might not be as typical as we thought.
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Scientists have discovered a bizarre planetary system where a rocky world orbits farther out than giant gas planets, defying long-standing theories of planet formation. The finding hints that some planets may form much later than expected — and that our Solar System might not be as typical as we thought.
TL;DR:
Scientists have discovered a bizarre planetary system where a rocky world orbits farther out than giant gas planets, defying long-standing theories of planet formation.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Jupiter’s lightning may be 100x more powerful than Earth’s
Jupiter’s storms aren’t just gigantic — they may unleash lightning far more powerful than anything on Earth. Using NASA’s Juno spacecraft, scientists discovered that some lightning bolts on the gas giant could pack up to 100 times the punch of Earth’s lightning, and possibly much more. The findings reveal that Jupiter’s atmosphere works very differently from our own, with massive storms building enormous amounts of energy before erupting in violent flashes across cloud tops towering more than 100 kilometers high.
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Jupiter’s lightning may be 100x more powerful than Earth’s. Jupiter’s storms aren’t just gigantic — they may unleash lightning far more powerful than anything on Earth. Using NASA’s Juno spacecraft, scientists discovered that some lightning bolts on the gas giant could pack up to 100 times the punch of Earth’s lightning, and possibly much more.
TL;DR:
Jupiter’s storms aren’t just gigantic — they may unleash lightning far more powerful than anything on Earth.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Physicists finally solve the strange mystery of “breathing” lasers
Scientists have finally figured out how mysterious “breather” laser pulses work, solving a puzzle that has frustrated laser physicists for years. These unusual ultrafast lasers produce light pulses that rhythmically grow and shrink instead of staying steady, almost like they’re breathing.
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Physicists finally solve the strange mystery of “breathing” lasers. Scientists have finally figured out how mysterious “breather” laser pulses work, solving a puzzle that has frustrated laser physicists for years. These unusual ultrafast lasers produce light pulses that rhythmically grow and shrink instead of staying steady, almost like they’re breathing.
TL;DR:
Scientists have finally figured out how mysterious “breather” laser pulses work, solving a puzzle that has frustrated laser physicists for years.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists discover strange “narwhal” waves that trap light beyond known limits
Physicists at Peking University have uncovered a new way to confine light far beyond conventional limits — without relying on metals and their inherent energy dissipation. By formulating the singular dispersion equation, the team discovered narwhal-shaped wavefunctions that trap light at deep-subwavelength volumes in purely dielectric materials. The advance, dubbed singulonics, could pave the way for ultra-efficient photonic chips, new quantum technologies, and imaging tools with unprecedented resolution.
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Physicists at Peking University have uncovered a new way to confine light far beyond conventional limits — without relying on metals and their inherent energy dissipation. By formulating the singular dispersion equation, the team discovered narwhal-shaped wavefunctions that trap light at deep-subwavelength volumes in purely dielectric materials.
TL;DR:
Physicists at Peking University have uncovered a new way to confine light far beyond conventional limits — without relying on metals and their inherent energy dissipation.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Childhood junk food may rewire the brain for life
Eating too much junk food early in life may rewire the brain in ways that last into adulthood, even after switching to a healthier diet. Scientists found that high-fat, high-sugar diets changed feeding behavior and disrupted appetite-control regions in the brain. Excitingly, certain gut-friendly bacteria and prebiotic fibers appeared to help undo some of the damage.
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Childhood junk food may rewire the brain for life. Eating too much junk food early in life may rewire the brain in ways that last into adulthood, even after switching to a healthier diet. Scientists found that high-fat, high-sugar diets changed feeding behavior and disrupted appetite-control regions in the brain.
TL;DR:
Scientists found that high-fat, high-sugar diets changed feeding behavior and disrupted appetite-control regions in the brain.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Common pesticide linked to hidden brain damage, scientists warn
Scientists have uncovered alarming new evidence that a common insecticide may leave lasting marks on the developing brain before a child is even born. Researchers studying New York City children found that prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos — a pesticide once widely used indoors and still used in agriculture — was linked to widespread brain abnormalities and weaker motor skills years later.
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Scientists have uncovered alarming new evidence that a common insecticide may leave lasting marks on the developing brain before a child is even born. Researchers studying New York City children found that prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos — a pesticide once widely used indoors and still used in agriculture — was linked to widespread brain abnormalities and weaker motor skills…
TL;DR:
Scientists have uncovered alarming new evidence that a common insecticide may leave lasting marks on the developing brain before a child is even born.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists discover the nutrient that can supercharge cellular energy
Researchers discovered that leucine, a nutrient found in protein-rich foods, can supercharge mitochondria by protecting crucial energy-producing proteins inside cells. The breakthrough uncovers a powerful new link between diet and cellular energy — with possible implications for cancer and metabolic disease treatments.
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Researchers discovered that leucine, a nutrient found in protein-rich foods, can supercharge mitochondria by protecting crucial energy-producing proteins inside cells. The breakthrough uncovers a powerful new link between diet and cellular energy — with possible implications for cancer and metabolic disease treatments.
TL;DR:
Researchers discovered that leucine, a nutrient found in protein-rich foods, can supercharge mitochondria by protecting crucial energy-producing proteins inside cells.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
MIT scientists discover amino acid that helps the gut heal itself
MIT scientists have identified cysteine — an amino acid found in foods like meat, dairy, beans, and nuts — as a potent trigger for intestinal repair. In mice, a cysteine-rich diet activated immune cells that released healing signals, helping stem cells rebuild damaged intestinal tissue after radiation exposure. Researchers say the discovery could eventually lead to new dietary therapies for cancer patients suffering from treatment-related gut damage.
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MIT scientists discover amino acid that helps the gut heal itself. MIT scientists have identified cysteine — an amino acid found in foods like meat, dairy, beans, and nuts — as a potent trigger for intestinal repair. Researchers say the discovery could eventually lead to new dietary therapies for cancer patients suffering from treatment-related gut damage.
TL;DR:
MIT scientists have identified cysteine — an amino acid found in foods like meat, dairy, beans, and nuts — as a potent trigger for intestinal repair.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists discover a strange hidden state in “sandwich” molecules
Scientists have uncovered a strange hidden structure formed during the creation of metallocenes, a class of sandwich-like molecules used in everything from catalysis to medicine. The newly characterized intermediate features a rare “double ring-slip,” where both carbon rings partially detach from the metal atom. By finally observing this fleeting state, researchers gained fresh insight into how these molecules assemble and transform.
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Scientists discover a strange hidden state in “sandwich” molecules. Scientists have uncovered a strange hidden structure formed during the creation of metallocenes, a class of sandwich-like molecules used in everything from catalysis to medicine. By finally observing this fleeting state, researchers gained fresh insight into how these molecules assemble and transform.
TL;DR:
Scientists have uncovered a strange hidden structure formed during the creation of metallocenes, a class of sandwich-like molecules used in everything from catalysis to medicine.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
James Webb discovers a rare giant planet with surprisingly Earth-like temperatures
Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have uncovered a rare world unlike anything in our solar system — a giant planet about the size of Saturn with surprisingly Earth-like temperatures and an atmosphere packed with methane. The planet, TOI-199b, sits more than 330 light-years away and is one of the first known “temperate” gas giants ever studied in detail.
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Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have uncovered a rare world unlike anything in our solar system — a giant planet about the size of Saturn with surprisingly Earth-like temperatures and an atmosphere packed with methane. The planet, TOI-199b, sits more than 330 light-years away and is one of the first known “temperate” gas giants ever studied in detail.
TL;DR:
Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have uncovered a rare world unlike anything in our solar system — a giant planet about the size of Saturn with surprisingly Earth-like temperatures and an atmosphere packed with methane.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Ancient asteroid craters may have sparked Earth’s oxygen-producing life
A hidden crater in South Korea may hold clues to one of the biggest turning points in Earth’s history: the rise of oxygen. Scientists discovered fossil-like stromatolites — layered structures built by ancient microbes — inside the Hapcheon impact crater, suggesting that asteroid strikes may have created warm, mineral-rich lakes where early oxygen-producing life could flourish.
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A hidden crater in South Korea may hold clues to one of the biggest turning points in Earth’s history: the rise of oxygen. Scientists discovered fossil-like stromatolites — layered structures built by ancient microbes — inside the Hapcheon impact crater, suggesting that asteroid strikes may have created warm, mineral-rich lakes where early oxygen-producing life could flourish.
TL;DR:
A hidden crater in South Korea may hold clues to one of the biggest turning points in Earth’s history: the rise of oxygen.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists discover towering red auroras reaching deep into space above Japan
Mysterious red auroras spotted over Japan were found reaching astonishingly high altitudes, even during space storms considered relatively mild. The discovery suggests hidden solar activity may be stronger than scientists realized — with potential consequences for satellites orbiting Earth.
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Scientists discover towering red auroras reaching deep into space above Japan. Mysterious red auroras spotted over Japan were found reaching astonishingly high altitudes, even during space storms considered relatively mild. The discovery suggests hidden solar activity may be stronger than scientists realized — with potential consequences for satellites orbiting Earth.
TL;DR:
Mysterious red auroras spotted over Japan were found reaching astonishingly high altitudes, even during space storms considered relatively mild.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
“Zombie cells” aren’t always bad and that could transform anti-aging medicine
Scientists are uncovering a surprising truth about aging cells: some may damage the body, while others help protect it. The discovery is fueling a new wave of precision anti-aging therapies aimed at removing only the harmful “zombie” cells without disrupting the body’s natural repair systems.
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“Zombie cells” aren’t always bad and that could transform anti-aging medicine. Scientists are uncovering a surprising truth about aging cells: some may damage the body, while others help protect it. The discovery is fueling a new wave of precision anti-aging therapies aimed at removing only the harmful “zombie” cells without disrupting the body’s natural repair systems.
TL;DR:
Scientists are uncovering a surprising truth about aging cells: some may damage the body, while others help protect it.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists discover giant sea predator Tylosaurus rex that terrorized ancient oceans
A colossal new sea predator named Tylosaurus rex has been identified from fossils found in Texas, revealing a brutal 43-foot-long hunter that ruled ancient oceans 80 million years ago. The discovery not only introduces one of the biggest mosasaurs ever known, but also shakes up long-standing ideas about how these marine reptiles evolved.
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A colossal new sea predator named Tylosaurus rex has been identified from fossils found in Texas, revealing a brutal 43-foot-long hunter that ruled ancient oceans 80 million years ago. The discovery not only introduces one of the biggest mosasaurs ever known, but also shakes up long-standing ideas about how these marine reptiles evolved.
TL;DR:
A colossal new sea predator named Tylosaurus rex has been identified from fossils found in Texas, revealing a brutal 43-foot-long hunter that ruled ancient oceans 80 million years ago.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
NASA stunned as strange solar radio burst lasts 19 days
NASA scientists were stunned when a strange radio signal from the Sun refused to fade away. Instead of lasting a few hours or days like normal solar radio bursts, this one persisted for an astonishing 19 days — shattering the previous record. Using a fleet of spacecraft spread across the solar system, researchers tracked the mysterious signal to a massive magnetic structure on the Sun called a helmet streamer.
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NASA stunned as strange solar radio burst lasts 19 days. NASA scientists were stunned when a strange radio signal from the Sun refused to fade away. Using a fleet of spacecraft spread across the solar system, researchers tracked the mysterious signal to a massive magnetic structure on the Sun called a helmet streamer.
TL;DR:
NASA scientists were stunned when a strange radio signal from the Sun refused to fade away.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft captures stunning Mars images during high-speed flyby
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft skimmed past Mars in a precision flyby that helped catapult it deeper into space toward its ultimate target: the bizarre metal-rich asteroid Psyche. During the encounter, it snapped detailed images of heavily cratered Martian terrain, including the striking double-ring Huygens crater. The flyby gave the spacecraft a critical gravity boost without using extra fuel.
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NASA’s Psyche spacecraft skimmed past Mars in a precision flyby that helped catapult it deeper into space toward its ultimate target: the bizarre metal-rich asteroid Psyche. During the encounter, it snapped detailed images of heavily cratered Martian terrain, including the striking double-ring Huygens crater.
TL;DR:
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft skimmed past Mars in a precision flyby that helped catapult it deeper into space toward its ultimate target: the bizarre metal-rich asteroid Psyche.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Einstein’s “wormhole” may actually reveal a hidden mirror of time
What if wormholes were never cosmic tunnels at all? New research suggests Einstein and Rosen’s famous “bridge” may actually reveal something even stranger: time itself could flow in two directions at once. Instead of connecting distant places in space, these bridges may connect mirror versions of time deep inside quantum physics, potentially solving the long-standing black hole information paradox and hinting that our universe existed before the Big Bang.
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Einstein’s “wormhole” may actually reveal a hidden mirror of time. New research suggests Einstein and Rosen’s famous “bridge” may actually reveal something even stranger: time itself could flow in two directions at once.
TL;DR:
What if wormholes were never cosmic tunnels at all?
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists discover the perfect temperature to keep mangoes fresh much longer
Scientists found that storing mangoes at 54°F dramatically slows ripening and keeps the fruit fresh far longer than typical tropical temperatures. The cooler conditions helped mangoes stay firm, retain moisture, and preserve important antioxidants while reducing cellular damage. Researchers also uncovered the internal defense systems that switch on during cold storage, protecting the fruit from stress and decay.
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Scientists discover the perfect temperature to keep mangoes fresh much longer. Scientists found that storing mangoes at 54°F dramatically slows ripening and keeps the fruit fresh far longer than typical tropical temperatures. Researchers also uncovered the internal defense systems that switch on during cold storage, protecting the fruit from stress and decay.
TL;DR:
Scientists found that storing mangoes at 54°F dramatically slows ripening and keeps the fruit fresh far longer than typical tropical temperatures.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
New AI body map reveals obesity’s hidden attack on facial nerves
Scientists have created an AI-powered system that can scan and map an entire mouse body in extraordinary detail — and it just uncovered a surprising new effect of obesity. Beyond disrupting metabolism, obesity appears to damage facial sensory nerves linked to touch and sensation, while also triggering widespread inflammation across the body.
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Scientists have created an AI-powered system that can scan and map an entire mouse body in extraordinary detail — and it just uncovered a surprising new effect of obesity. Beyond disrupting metabolism, obesity appears to damage facial sensory nerves linked to touch and sensation, while also triggering widespread inflammation across the body.
TL;DR:
Scientists have created an AI-powered system that can scan and map an entire mouse body in extraordinary detail — and it just uncovered a surprising new effect of obesity.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists uncover cancer-causing chemicals hidden in everyday foods
Scientists have identified potentially cancer-causing chemicals hiding in many everyday foods, especially those exposed to high heat cooking methods like grilling, roasting, smoking, and frying. The compounds, known as PAHs, can form during cooking or enter foods through contamination, raising concerns about long-term health risks.
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Scientists have identified potentially cancer-causing chemicals hiding in many everyday foods, especially those exposed to high heat cooking methods like grilling, roasting, smoking, and frying. The compounds, known as PAHs, can form during cooking or enter foods through contamination, raising concerns about long-term health risks.
TL;DR:
Scientists have identified potentially cancer-causing chemicals hiding in many everyday foods, especially those exposed to high heat cooking methods like grilling, roasting, smoking, and frying.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists warn that current vitamin B12 guidelines may be putting your brain at risk
Getting enough vitamin B12 to meet current health guidelines may not actually be enough to protect the aging brain. Researchers at UC San Francisco found that older adults with “normal” but lower levels of active B12 showed signs of slower thinking, delayed visual processing, and more damage to the brain’s white matter — the communication highways that help different brain regions work together.
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Getting enough vitamin B12 to meet current health guidelines may not actually be enough to protect the aging brain. Researchers at UC San Francisco found that older adults with “normal” but lower levels of active B12 showed signs of slower thinking, delayed visual processing, and more damage to the brain’s white matter — the communication highways that help different brain reg…
TL;DR:
Getting enough vitamin B12 to meet current health guidelines may not actually be enough to protect the aging brain.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists discover atoms suddenly spinning backward in quantum experiment
Scientists have directly watched angular momentum move through a crystal for the very first time — and discovered a bizarre twist along the way. Using ultra-powerful terahertz laser pulses, researchers triggered tiny atomic rotations inside a quantum material and found that the direction of rotation can unexpectedly flip as momentum is transferred. The strange reversal happens because of the crystal’s underlying symmetry, creating an almost impossible-sounding effect where two rotations combine into one spinning the opposite way.
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Scientists have directly watched angular momentum move through a crystal for the very first time — and discovered a bizarre twist along the way. Using ultra-powerful terahertz laser pulses, researchers triggered tiny atomic rotations inside a quantum material and found that the direction of rotation can unexpectedly flip as momentum is transferred.
TL;DR:
Scientists have directly watched angular momentum move through a crystal for the very first time — and discovered a bizarre twist along the way.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists discover why some DNA-doubled cells refuse to die
Scientists have uncovered a surprising twist in how cells behave when division goes wrong. Sometimes a cell successfully copies its DNA but fails to split into two, leaving it with double the genetic material — a mistake linked to aging, cancer, and other major diseases. Researchers discovered that not all of these failures are equal.
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Scientists discover why some DNA-doubled cells refuse to die. Scientists have uncovered a surprising twist in how cells behave when division goes wrong. Researchers discovered that not all of these failures are equal.
TL;DR:
Scientists have uncovered a surprising twist in how cells behave when division goes wrong.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists may have found the source of the most powerful neutrino ever detected
A mysterious particle from deep space has scientists buzzing after the most energetic neutrino ever detected slammed through the Mediterranean Sea. Now, researchers think they may have identified the cosmic “culprits” behind it: blazars — supermassive black holes blasting jets of matter straight toward Earth.
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A mysterious particle from deep space has scientists buzzing after the most energetic neutrino ever detected slammed through the Mediterranean Sea. Now, researchers think they may have identified the cosmic “culprits” behind it: blazars — supermassive black holes blasting jets of matter straight toward Earth.
TL;DR:
A mysterious particle from deep space has scientists buzzing after the most energetic neutrino ever detected slammed through the Mediterranean Sea.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
AI scans 400,000 Reddit posts and finds hidden Ozempic side effects
By analyzing over 400,000 Reddit posts, researchers discovered that users of popular GLP-1 weight-loss drugs frequently discussed unexpected symptoms like menstrual irregularities, chills, and hot flashes. The findings suggest AI could turn social media into a powerful early-warning system for spotting side effects that clinical trials may miss.
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By analyzing over 400,000 Reddit posts, researchers discovered that users of popular GLP-1 weight-loss drugs frequently discussed unexpected symptoms like menstrual irregularities, chills, and hot flashes. The findings suggest AI could turn social media into a powerful early-warning system for spotting side effects that clinical trials may miss.
TL;DR:
By analyzing over 400,000 Reddit posts, researchers discovered that users of popular GLP-1 weight-loss drugs frequently discussed unexpected symptoms like menstrual irregularities, chills, and hot flashes.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists discover the oldest wooden tools ever used by humans
Scientists have uncovered the oldest known hand-held wooden tools ever used by humans — and they’re an astonishing 430,000 years old. Buried for hundreds of thousands of years at an ancient lakeside site in Greece, the carefully carved wooden objects reveal that early humans were far more skilled and resourceful than once believed.
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Scientists have uncovered the oldest known hand-held wooden tools ever used by humans — and they’re an astonishing 430,000 years old. Buried for hundreds of thousands of years at an ancient lakeside site in Greece, the carefully carved wooden objects reveal that early humans were far more skilled and resourceful than once believed.
TL;DR:
Scientists have uncovered the oldest known hand-held wooden tools ever used by humans — and they’re an astonishing 430,000 years old.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Adorable tiny blue octopus found nearly 6,000 feet beneath the Galápagos
A mysterious little blue octopus discovered nearly 6,000 feet beneath the waters of the Galápagos Islands has officially been identified as a brand-new species. About the size of a golf ball, the tiny creature stunned researchers during a deep-sea expedition when it suddenly appeared on camera, crawling across the ocean floor near an underwater mountain.
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A mysterious little blue octopus discovered nearly 6,000 feet beneath the waters of the Galápagos Islands has officially been identified as a brand-new species. About the size of a golf ball, the tiny creature stunned researchers during a deep-sea expedition when it suddenly appeared on camera, crawling across the ocean floor near an underwater mountain.
TL;DR:
A mysterious little blue octopus discovered nearly 6,000 feet beneath the waters of the Galápagos Islands has officially been identified as a brand-new species.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists create global treasure map pointing to hidden rare earth deposits
Scientists have created a global “treasure map” for rare earth elements by uncovering where the strange volcanic rocks that contain them are most likely to form. By combining thousands of rock samples with seismic images of Earth’s deep interior, the team discovered that these metal-rich rocks tend to appear along the ancient, thick roots of continents. These unusual rocks, once seen as geological oddities, are now incredibly important because they hold many of the materials used in smartphones, electric vehicles, and wind turbines.
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Scientists have created a global “treasure map” for rare earth elements by uncovering where the strange volcanic rocks that contain them are most likely to form. By combining thousands of rock samples with seismic images of Earth’s deep interior, the team discovered that these metal-rich rocks tend to appear along the ancient, thick roots of continents.
TL;DR:
Scientists have created a global “treasure map” for rare earth elements by uncovering where the strange volcanic rocks that contain them are most likely to form.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists discover a giant “planet factory” beyond Jupiter
Scientists believe a dust-filled ring just outside Jupiter acted like a cosmic “planetesimal factory,” producing multiple generations of early space rocks with very different compositions. The discovery may finally explain the origins of several mysterious meteorite types that have survived since the birth of the Solar System.
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Scientists believe a dust-filled ring just outside Jupiter acted like a cosmic “planetesimal factory,” producing multiple generations of early space rocks with very different compositions. The discovery may finally explain the origins of several mysterious meteorite types that have survived since the birth of the Solar System.
TL;DR:
Scientists believe a dust-filled ring just outside Jupiter acted like a cosmic “planetesimal factory,” producing multiple generations of early space rocks with very different compositions.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
100-million-year-old bug had crab-like claws unlike any known insect
Deep inside 100-million-year-old amber from Myanmar, scientists uncovered a bizarre ancient bug with clawed front legs that look more like a crab’s pincers than anything seen in modern insects. The discovery is so unusual that researchers say these crab-like “chelae” evolved independently in this lineage, making it only the fourth known example of such structures appearing in insects at all.
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Deep inside 100-million-year-old amber from Myanmar, scientists uncovered a bizarre ancient bug with clawed front legs that look more like a crab’s pincers than anything seen in modern insects.
TL;DR:
Deep inside 100-million-year-old amber from Myanmar, scientists uncovered a bizarre ancient bug with clawed front legs that look more like a crab’s pincers than anything seen in modern insects.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
This prehistoric fish may explain how animals first walked on Earth
Scientists have peered inside the skull of a 380-million-year-old Antarctic fish that was closely related to the first animals to walk on land, revealing surprising clues about how life began its move out of the water. Using advanced neutron imaging, researchers discovered that Koharalepis jarviki had features suited for living near the water’s surface, including openings in its skull that may have helped it gulp air and a light-sensitive organ linked to day-night rhythms.
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Scientists have peered inside the skull of a 380-million-year-old Antarctic fish that was closely related to the first animals to walk on land, revealing surprising clues about how life began its move out of the water.
TL;DR:
Scientists have peered inside the skull of a 380-million-year-old Antarctic fish that was closely related to the first animals to walk on land, revealing surprising clues about how life began its move out of the water.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Massive supercomputer simulations unlock cosmic magnetic mystery
Scientists used some of the most advanced plasma simulations ever created to uncover how the universe builds enormous magnetic fields out of turbulence. The discovery could reshape our understanding of stars, black holes, neutron star collisions, and dangerous solar eruptions.
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Massive supercomputer simulations unlock cosmic magnetic mystery. Scientists used some of the most advanced plasma simulations ever created to uncover how the universe builds enormous magnetic fields out of turbulence. The discovery could reshape our understanding of stars, black holes, neutron star collisions, and dangerous solar eruptions.
TL;DR:
Scientists used some of the most advanced plasma simulations ever created to uncover how the universe builds enormous magnetic fields out of turbulence.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft uses Mars as a giant slingshot toward a mysterious metal world
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft just used Mars as a giant gravitational slingshot to continue its journey toward a strange metal rich asteroid. The close flyby boosted the spacecraft’s speed by about 1,000 mph while also producing rare crescent images of Mars glowing through its dusty atmosphere.
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NASA’s Psyche spacecraft uses Mars as a giant slingshot toward a mysterious metal world. NASA’s Psyche spacecraft just used Mars as a giant gravitational slingshot to continue its journey toward a strange metal rich asteroid. The close flyby boosted the spacecraft’s speed by about 1,000 mph while also producing rare crescent images of Mars glowing through its dusty atmosphere.
TL;DR:
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft just used Mars as a giant gravitational slingshot to continue its journey toward a strange metal rich asteroid.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Venomous Himalayan pit viper was actually 5 different species all along
Hidden deep in the towering mountains of the Himalayas, one of Asia’s most mysterious venomous snakes has been keeping a major secret for over 160 years. Scientists have now discovered that the so-called Himalayan pit viper is not just one species, but actually five separate species — including three completely unknown to science until now.
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Venomous Himalayan pit viper was actually 5 different species all along. Hidden deep in the towering mountains of the Himalayas, one of Asia’s most mysterious venomous snakes has been keeping a major secret for over 160 years.
TL;DR:
Scientists have now discovered that the so-called Himalayan pit viper is not just one species, but actually five separate species — including three completely unknown to science until now.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Queenless wasp colonies explode into chaos but hidden helpers save them
When a queen wasp suddenly disappears, her colony doesn’t calmly choose a successor — it erupts into chaos. Researchers found that female wasps immediately begin battling for power, shattering the colony’s social order in a frenzy of aggression. But while some fight for the throne, others quietly become the colony’s unsung heroes, stepping up to gather food and care for the young so the society doesn’t collapse.
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Queenless wasp colonies explode into chaos but hidden helpers save them. When a queen wasp suddenly disappears, her colony doesn’t calmly choose a successor — it erupts into chaos. Researchers found that female wasps immediately begin battling for power, shattering the colony’s social order in a frenzy of aggression.
TL;DR:
When a queen wasp suddenly disappears, her colony doesn’t calmly choose a successor — it erupts into chaos.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Tiny “sesame” sea slug discovered in Taiwan turns out to be a new species
A sea slug smaller than a sesame seed has turned up in Taiwan’s coastal waters — and it’s so tiny and unusual that scientists realized they had discovered a completely new species. Named Thecacera sesama after its black-and-yellow “sesame-like” appearance, the translucent nudibranch was first spotted during a casual dive and later identified with help from a sea slug expert on Facebook.
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A sea slug smaller than a sesame seed has turned up in Taiwan’s coastal waters — and it’s so tiny and unusual that scientists realized they had discovered a completely new species. Named Thecacera sesama after its black-and-yellow “sesame-like” appearance, the translucent nudibranch was first spotted during a casual dive and later identified with help from a sea slug expert on…
TL;DR:
A sea slug smaller than a sesame seed has turned up in Taiwan’s coastal waters — and it’s so tiny and unusual that scientists realized they had discovered a completely new species.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists discover ancient single-celled ancestors still live on in your blood
Scientists uncovered evidence that human blood cells may trace their origins back to single-celled ancestors that lived 700 million years ago. By rebuilding the evolutionary family tree of blood cells, the team revealed how today’s immune system grew from some of Earth’s earliest life forms.
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Scientists discover ancient single-celled ancestors still live on in your blood. Scientists uncovered evidence that human blood cells may trace their origins back to single-celled ancestors that lived 700 million years ago. By rebuilding the evolutionary family tree of blood cells, the team revealed how today’s immune system grew from some of Earth’s earliest life forms.
TL;DR:
Scientists uncovered evidence that human blood cells may trace their origins back to single-celled ancestors that lived 700 million years ago.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Large Hadron Collider detects strange particle behavior that could rewrite physics
Scientists working at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider may be seeing the strongest hints yet of physics beyond the Standard Model — the decades-old theory that explains the fundamental particles and forces of the universe. By studying incredibly rare particle transformations called “penguin decays,” researchers found behavior that doesn’t fully match theoretical predictions, raising the possibility that unknown particles or forces are influencing the results.
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Scientists working at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider may be seeing the strongest hints yet of physics beyond the Standard Model — the decades-old theory that explains the fundamental particles and forces of the universe.
TL;DR:
Scientists working at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider may be seeing the strongest hints yet of physics beyond the Standard Model — the decades-old theory that explains the fundamental particles and forces of the universe.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists say they’ve reversed brain aging with a simple nasal spray
Researchers at Texas A&M have developed a nasal spray that appears to reverse brain aging by calming inflammation and restoring the brain’s energy systems. After just two doses, memory and cognitive function improved for months, raising hopes for future treatments targeting dementia and brain fog.
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Scientists say they’ve reversed brain aging with a simple nasal spray. Researchers at Texas A&M have developed a nasal spray that appears to reverse brain aging by calming inflammation and restoring the brain’s energy systems. After just two doses, memory and cognitive function improved for months, raising hopes for future treatments targeting dementia and brain fog.
TL;DR:
Researchers at Texas A&M have developed a nasal spray that appears to reverse brain aging by calming inflammation and restoring the brain’s energy systems.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists create supercharged vitamin K that helps the brain heal itself
Scientists in Japan have created powerful new vitamin K-based compounds that may help the brain regenerate lost neurons — a breakthrough that could one day change how diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are treated. By combining vitamin K with components related to vitamin A, the researchers developed compounds that were about three times more effective at turning neural stem cells into neurons than natural vitamin K alone.
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Scientists in Japan have created powerful new vitamin K-based compounds that may help the brain regenerate lost neurons — a breakthrough that could one day change how diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are treated.
TL;DR:
Scientists in Japan have created powerful new vitamin K-based compounds that may help the brain regenerate lost neurons — a breakthrough that could one day change how diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are treated.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scientists discover hidden gut-brain circuit that triggers protein cravings
When the body runs low on protein, the gut sends powerful signals to the brain that reshape cravings and push animals to seek essential amino acids instead of sugar. Researchers say this newly discovered gut-brain network could transform our understanding of appetite, nutrition, and obesity.
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Scientists discover hidden gut-brain circuit that triggers protein cravings. When the body runs low on protein, the gut sends powerful signals to the brain that reshape cravings and push animals to seek essential amino acids instead of sugar. Researchers say this newly discovered gut-brain network could transform our understanding of appetite, nutrition, and obesity.
TL;DR:
When the body runs low on protein, the gut sends powerful signals to the brain that reshape cravings and push animals to seek essential amino acids instead of sugar.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
NASA’s Fermi telescope reveals the power source behind monster supernovae
NASA’s Fermi telescope has detected what may be the first confirmed gamma-ray signal from a superluminous supernova — one of the most extreme explosions in the universe. Scientists believe the blast was powered by a rapidly spinning magnetar, an exotic neutron star with unbelievably strong magnetic fields. The event, called SN 2017egm, erupted 440 million light-years away and may help explain why some supernovae become extraordinarily bright.
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NASA’s Fermi telescope has detected what may be the first confirmed gamma-ray signal from a superluminous supernova — one of the most extreme explosions in the universe. Scientists believe the blast was powered by a rapidly spinning magnetar, an exotic neutron star with unbelievably strong magnetic fields.
TL;DR:
NASA’s Fermi telescope has detected what may be the first confirmed gamma-ray signal from a superluminous supernova — one of the most extreme explosions in the universe.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
NASA’s Webb telescope discovers a planet where rock clouds vanish every night
A giant planet nearly 700 light-years away has a bizarre daily weather cycle where mineral clouds appear every morning and vanish by nightfall. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers discovered that WASP-94A b’s mornings are filled with clouds made of rock-like minerals, while its evenings are surprisingly clear. The finding gave scientists their clearest look yet into the planet’s atmosphere and revealed it’s far more Jupiter-like than previously believed.
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NASA’s Webb telescope discovers a planet where rock clouds vanish every night. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers discovered that WASP-94A b’s mornings are filled with clouds made of rock-like minerals, while its evenings are surprisingly clear.
TL;DR:
A giant planet nearly 700 light-years away has a bizarre daily weather cycle where mineral clouds appear every morning and vanish by nightfall.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
A 100-year-old piano mystery has finally been solved
For more than a century, pianists and music teachers have argued over whether a performer’s touch can actually change the tone color of a piano note — and now scientists say the answer is yes. Using a cutting-edge sensor system that tracked piano key movements at 1,000 frames per second, researchers discovered that elite pianists subtly manipulate keys in ways that listeners can genuinely hear, even if they’ve never played piano before.
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For more than a century, pianists and music teachers have argued over whether a performer’s touch can actually change the tone color of a piano note — and now scientists say the answer is yes.
TL;DR:
For more than a century, pianists and music teachers have argued over whether a performer’s touch can actually change the tone color of a piano note — and now scientists say the answer is yes.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Forget LASIK: Safer, cheaper vision correction without lasers or surgery
Researchers are developing a futuristic alternative to LASIK that reshapes the eye without lasers or incisions. Using mild electrical pulses and platinum contact lenses, they temporarily soften the cornea so it can be molded into a new shape. Early tests on rabbit eyes successfully corrected nearsightedness in about a minute while preserving the eye’s structure.
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Forget LASIK: Safer, cheaper vision correction without lasers or surgery. Researchers are developing a futuristic alternative to LASIK that reshapes the eye without lasers or incisions. Early tests on rabbit eyes successfully corrected nearsightedness in about a minute while preserving the eye’s structure.
TL;DR:
Researchers are developing a futuristic alternative to LASIK that reshapes the eye without lasers or incisions.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
Scottish wrens may be evolving into new species through island gigantism
Tiny birds on remote Scottish islands are undergoing a dramatic evolutionary transformation. Scientists studying four isolated populations of British Wrens discovered that some island birds have grown astonishingly large — with the biggest St Kilda Wrens weighing more than twice as much as the smallest mainland birds. The research suggests these wrens are evolving independently, developing unique songs, appearances, and genetics that may eventually turn them into entirely new species.
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Scottish wrens may be evolving into new species through island gigantism. Scientists studying four isolated populations of British Wrens discovered that some island birds have grown astonishingly large — with the biggest St Kilda Wrens weighing more than twice as much as the smallest mainland birds.
TL;DR:
Tiny birds on remote Scottish islands are undergoing a dramatic evolutionary transformation.
Sciencedaily
May 28, 23:22
DNA solves 250-year-old mystery of the Seychelles’ lost crocodiles
Scientists have solved the mystery of the Seychelles’ vanished crocodiles using DNA from historic museum specimens. The reptiles were not a unique species after all, but an isolated population of saltwater crocodiles that likely drifted thousands of kilometers across the Indian Ocean.
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DNA solves 250-year-old mystery of the Seychelles’ lost crocodiles. Scientists have solved the mystery of the Seychelles’ vanished crocodiles using DNA from historic museum specimens. The reptiles were not a unique species after all, but an isolated population of saltwater crocodiles that likely drifted thousands of kilometers across the Indian Ocean.
TL;DR:
Scientists have solved the mystery of the Seychelles’ vanished crocodiles using DNA from historic museum specimens.
Bbc
May 28, 20:00
BBC Inside Science
From Hay Festival 2026, a dive into a big year for our oceans.
TL;DR:
From Hay Festival 2026, a dive into a big year for our oceans.
The-hinternet
May 28, 19:38
The Science of Weather and the Nature of Science
We are very happy today to be able to publish this exclusive excerpt from Jessica Riskin ’s new book, The Power of Life: The Invention of Biology and the Revolutionary Science of Jean-Baptiste Lamarc…
TL;DR:
We are very happy today to be able to publish this exclusive excerpt from Jessica Riskin ’s new book, The Power of Life: The Invention of Biology and the Revolutionary Science of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (Riverhead Books, March 2026).
Science
May 28, 17:36
I hated writing until I learned there’s a science to it (2024)
When I got my first research project to work as an undergraduate, I was so excited I could hardly think.
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I hated writing until I learned there’s a science to it (2024). When I got my first research project to work as an undergraduate, I was so excited I could hardly think. I hated writing growing up.
TL;DR:
When I got my first research project to work as an undergraduate, I was so excited I could hardly think.
DOE Office of Science
May 28, 17:16
Fusion Energy Net Gain Achieved Consistently
Javascript is currently disabled in your browser. Please enable Javascript, or use an alternative browser. Official websites use .gov A .
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Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website.
TL;DR:
The National Ignition Facility achieved net-positive fusion energy across three consecutive experiments.
Newscientist
May 28, 17:00
Mathematical AI helps researchers crack 50-year-old problem
After an AI from OpenAI found a trick to solve an 80-year-old conjecture from Paul Erdős, mathematicians have borrowed the same technique to solve another important problem
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Just a week after an AI disproved an 80-year-old conjecture and astonished mathematicians, another conjecture that had stood for half a century has fallen, inspired by the same techniques, but this time written entirely by humans. Erdős had set an upper ceiling on this number, which many experts had assumed was correct.
TL;DR:
After an AI from OpenAI found a trick to solve an 80-year-old conjecture from Paul Erdős, mathematicians have borrowed the same technique to solve another important problem
Bbc
May 28, 16:25
Drag queen Pattie Gonia fights trademark lawsuit by Patagonia
The outdoor apparel firm says the performer broke an agreement not to use its branding in merchandise.
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Drag queen Pattie Gonia fights trademark lawsuit by Patagonia. The outdoor apparel firm says the performer broke an agreement not to use its branding in merchandise.
TL;DR:
The outdoor apparel firm says the performer broke an agreement not to use its branding in merchandise.
Theguardian
May 28, 15:22
Mosquitoes can become attracted to insect repellant, study suggests
The insect may learn to associate the chemical Deet with a ‘blood meal’, researchers say It is a spray used worldwide to protect humans from mosquito bites, but now research suggests Deet can become attractive to the insects if they associate it with feeding. Deet – which has the chemical name N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide – is widely used in insect repellants, with the UK Health Security Agency recommending products with 50% Deet as the first choice to protect against mosquito bites. Continue reading...
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The insect may learn to associate the chemical Deet with a ‘blood meal’, researchers say It is a spray used worldwide to protect humans from mosquito bites, but now research suggests Deet can become attractive to the insects if they associate it with feeding.
TL;DR:
The insect may learn to associate the chemical Deet with a ‘blood meal’, researchers say It is a spray used worldwide to protect humans from mosquito bites, but now research suggests Deet can become attractive to the insects if they associate it with feeding.
Bbc
May 28, 14:35
Warnings issued over toxic caterpillars
The oak processionary moth caterpillar can cause breathing difficulties and skin rashes.
TL;DR:
The oak processionary moth caterpillar can cause breathing difficulties and skin rashes.
Quantamagazine
May 28, 14:16
How We See the Beautiful, Violent Sun
Over hundreds of years, increasingly sophisticated instruments have revealed — and continue to reveal — the secrets of our star. The post How We See the Beautiful, Violent Sun first appeared on Quanta Magazine
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How We See the Beautiful, Violent Sun. Over hundreds of years, increasingly sophisticated instruments have revealed — and continue to reveal — the secrets of our star. The post How We See the Beautiful, Violent Sun first appeared on Quanta Magazine
TL;DR:
Over hundreds of years, increasingly sophisticated instruments have revealed — and continue to reveal — the secrets of our star.
Newscientist
May 28, 14:00
Start-ups are racing to revolutionise mathematics with AI
AI start-ups with hundreds of millions of dollars in funding are hiring mathematicians and building AI systems that they hope will not only solve mathematics, but also build more intelligent AI
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Mathematicians have never been so sought after by the world’s richest people. At universities across the world, academics are seeing their colleagues mysteriously disappear and join private companies.
TL;DR:
AI start-ups with hundreds of millions of dollars in funding are hiring mathematicians and building AI systems that they hope will not only solve mathematics, but also build more intelligent AI
Newscientist
May 28, 13:00
3D-printed lymph nodes could widen access to CAR T-cell therapy
The cost of CAR T-cell therapy means that the highly effective cancer treatment is unavailable in many parts of the world. But a new way of making these cells could dramatically drive down the cost
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3D-printed lymph nodes could widen access to CAR T-cell therapy. The cost of CAR T-cell therapy means that the highly effective cancer treatment is unavailable in many parts of the world. But a new way of making these cells could dramatically drive down the cost
TL;DR:
The cost of CAR T-cell therapy means that the highly effective cancer treatment is unavailable in many parts of the world.
Newscientist
May 28, 11:00
'The book is in the future, but everything is seeded from our present'
Helen Phillips, winner of the Climate Fiction prize for her novel Hum, on if stories can make a difference, her anxieties and writing about the climate
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Hum by Helen Phillips, the story of a mother’s struggle to protect and nurture her small family in a broiling, near-future metropolis, has won this year’s Climate Fiction prize . Supported by Climate Spring and worth £10,000, the award is intended to recognise “storytelling that engages with the realities of climate change”, and was won in 2025 by Abi Daré for And So I Roar .
TL;DR:
Helen Phillips, winner of the Climate Fiction prize for her novel Hum, on if stories can make a difference, her anxieties and writing about the climate
Newscientist
May 28, 09:00
Millions of planets might form around supermassive black holes
Massive amounts of dust swirl around active nuclei at the centres of galaxies, and these discs could give rise to vast numbers of rocky planets, some even the size of stars
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The active centres of galaxies might be regions of extraordinary planet formation, where millions of worlds are born. But occasionally they become active and consume huge amounts of dust and gas, perhaps from a merger with another galaxy, becoming an active galactic nucleus for millions of years. Do black holes exist and, if not, what have we really been looking at?
TL;DR:
Massive amounts of dust swirl around active nuclei at the centres of galaxies, and these discs could give rise to vast numbers of rocky planets, some even the size of stars
Bbc
May 28, 05:14
National Trust appeal after beauty spot littering
Litter was left all over Carding Mill Valley after an "exceptionally busy" bank holiday weekend.
TL;DR:
Litter was left all over Carding Mill Valley after an "exceptionally busy" bank holiday weekend.
Theguardian
May 28, 04:00
Are robots nearing their ChatGPT moment? – podcast
Last month at Beijing’s half marathon, a robot named Lightning beat the human world record by nearly seven minutes. It’s the latest in a string of AI-powered milestones that have got people wondering whether robots are about to enter our everyday lives, just as chatbots have. And the country leading the charge is China, where the government has pledged to invest more than £100bn in robotics over the next 20 years. To find out how robots are already entering the workforce, and what needs to happen to get them cleaning our homes and weeding our gardens, Ian Sample hears from the Guardian’s senior China correspondent, Amy Hawkins, and from Nathan Lepora, professor of robotics and AI at Bristol University, who researches how robots can achieve human-like dexterity Clips: Global News, BBC, CGTN Continue reading...
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Are robots nearing their ChatGPT moment? It’s the latest in a string of AI-powered milestones that have got people wondering whether robots are about to enter our everyday lives, just as chatbots have. And the country leading the charge is China, where the government has pledged to invest more than £100bn in robotics over the next 20 years.
TL;DR:
Last month at Beijing’s half marathon, a robot named Lightning beat the human world record by nearly seven minutes.
Bbc
May 27, 23:05
UK's rudest chalk figure gets a glow-up to stop it fading in the rain
National Trust staff and volunteers will apply 17 tonnes of fresh chalk to the outline of the famous figure.
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UK's rudest chalk figure gets a glow-up to stop it fading in the rain. National Trust staff and volunteers will apply 17 tonnes of fresh chalk to the outline of the famous figure.
TL;DR:
National Trust staff and volunteers will apply 17 tonnes of fresh chalk to the outline of the famous figure.
Phys.org
May 27, 21:40
Where are all the intermediate mass black holes? Microlensing fast radio bursts might reveal them - Phys.org
Where are all the intermediate mass black holes? Microlensing fast radio bursts might reveal them Phys.org
TL;DR:
Microlensing fast radio bursts might reveal them Phys.org
Newscientist
May 27, 19:00
Earth from Above author returns with astonishing freshwater images
From Kenya's Tree of Life to a Svalbard glacier, these stunning photos are taken from a new book by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, whose The Earth From Above was a smash hit 25 years ago
TL;DR:
From Kenya's Tree of Life to a Svalbard glacier, these stunning photos are taken from a new book by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, whose The Earth From Above was a smash hit 25 years ago
Newscientist
May 27, 19:00
Our verdict on Luminous by Silvia Park: a fascinating take on robots
The New Scientist Book Club read Silvia Park's near-future sci-fi novel Luminous in May, and had lots of good things to say (along with a few complaints)
TL;DR:
The New Scientist Book Club read Silvia Park's near-future sci-fi novel Luminous in May, and had lots of good things to say (along with a few complaints)
Newscientist
May 27, 19:00
Unsettling dance piece explores how AI is warping human relationships
Inspired by Shannon Vallor's book The AI Mirror, this compelling piece looks at how we are being affected by our deepening interactions with tech
TL;DR:
Inspired by Shannon Vallor's book The AI Mirror, this compelling piece looks at how we are being affected by our deepening interactions with tech
Newscientist
May 27, 19:00
The late Ian Watson's sci-fi The Embedding is intriguing – but dated
Watson's death last month prompted sci-fi columnist Emily H. Wilson to read his acclaimed 1973 debut and find out what she'd been missing. She found it fascinating – but reflective of its time
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The late Ian Watson's sci-fi The Embedding is intriguing – but dated. Watson's death last month prompted sci-fi columnist Emily H. She found it fascinating – but reflective of its time
TL;DR:
Watson's death last month prompted sci-fi columnist Emily H.
Newscientist
May 27, 19:00
Capitalism has warped our understanding of ecology and life’s origins
The ideas of survival of the fittest and winning at all costs are closely entwinned with Darwinism, but they shouldn’t be. A rethink from a more communal perspective is in order
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Capitalism has warped our understanding of ecology and life’s origins. The ideas of survival of the fittest and winning at all costs are closely entwinned with Darwinism, but they shouldn’t be. A rethink from a more communal perspective is in order
TL;DR:
The ideas of survival of the fittest and winning at all costs are closely entwinned with Darwinism, but they shouldn’t be.
Newscientist
May 27, 19:00
New Scientist recommends Turi King's expert book about DNA's secrets
From clearing people convicted of murder to identifying a monarch's remains, Michael Le Page is fascinated by The Secrets of Our DNA, an insider's must-read book
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The Secrets of Our DNA Turi King UK, Doubleday; US, Transworld Digital In 1993, a 62-year-old woman in the town of Idar-Oberstein in Germany was found strangled with florist wire. DNA found on a coffee cup suggested that two people were present besides the victim and that one of the apparent killers was a woman.
TL;DR:
From clearing people convicted of murder to identifying a monarch's remains, Michael Le Page is fascinated by The Secrets of Our DNA, an insider's must-read book
Arstechnica
May 27, 18:37
"Little red dot" in early Universe is a naked supermassive black hole
The black hole accounts for over two-thirds the mass of the object it inhabits.
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"Little red dot" in early Universe is a naked supermassive black hole. The black hole accounts for over two-thirds the mass of the object it inhabits.
TL;DR:
The black hole accounts for over two-thirds the mass of the object it inhabits.
Arstechnica
May 27, 18:19
US Space Force confirms SpaceX will build sensor-to-shooter targeting network
"We aren’t trading speed for scale; we are demanding both," says the military's program manager.
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US Space Force confirms SpaceX will build sensor-to-shooter targeting network. "We aren’t trading speed for scale; we are demanding both," says the military's program manager.
TL;DR:
"We aren’t trading speed for scale; we are demanding both," says the military's program manager.
Newscientist
May 27, 17:00
Embryos made without sperm or eggs reveal why many pregnancies fail
Embryo organoids made from stem cells are enabling scientists to recreate early pregnancy in the lab, unlocking treatments for infertility, miscarriage and pre-eclampsia
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Inside a lab in Vienna, cells are dividing to form a hollow sphere. Although the fragile ball has all the characteristics of an early human embryo, it isn’t quite what it seems. In the five years since early human embryo models known as blastoids were first created in several labs – including the one in Vienna – researchers have dramatically advanced our understanding of the e…
TL;DR:
Embryo organoids made from stem cells are enabling scientists to recreate early pregnancy in the lab, unlocking treatments for infertility, miscarriage and pre-eclampsia
Newscientist
May 27, 15:00
Wealthy people with environmental ideals are the biggest emitters
Among people of high socioeconomic status, love for nature corresponds with a bigger environmental footprint – and there's an obvious reason why
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People who care the most about the environment also do the most environmental damage with their jet-setting lifestyle, at least among those with the highest income and education. But rather than being a critique of environmentalism, this finding shows that changing policy is more important than changing values when it comes to halting the climate and biodiversity crises, scien…
TL;DR:
Among people of high socioeconomic status, love for nature corresponds with a bigger environmental footprint – and there's an obvious reason why
Bbc
May 27, 14:08
Why temperature records are being not only broken but smashed
The combined effects of a heat dome and climate change have brought extreme warmth to western Europe.
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Why temperature records are being not only broken but smashed. The combined effects of a heat dome and climate change have brought extreme warmth to western Europe.
TL;DR:
The combined effects of a heat dome and climate change have brought extreme warmth to western Europe.
Newscientist
May 27, 14:05
NASA plans a base on the moon spanning hundreds of square kilometres
NASA has revealed details of its plans to build a permanent base on the moon. Initially, this will see autonomous rovers and hopping drones scouting out the lunar surface.
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NASA has revealed details of its plans to build a permanent base on the moon. Plans for a lunar base have been part of NASA’s Artemis programme for years, but its main focus has been landing astronauts on the moon for the first time since the 1970s. But until recently, NASA had released fewer concrete details about a timeline for building a moon base .
TL;DR:
Three missions slated to launch this year will begin to search the lunar surface for a suitable base location
Newscientist
May 27, 12:00
First quantum grandfather clock could probe where gravity comes from
Researchers have designed a quantum version of a pendulum clock. It could shed light on timekeeping in the quantum realm
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First quantum grandfather clock could probe where gravity comes from. Researchers have designed a quantum version of a pendulum clock. It could shed light on timekeeping in the quantum realm
TL;DR:
Researchers have designed a quantum version of a pendulum clock.
Newscientist
May 27, 10:00
We may finally know why gold stays so shiny
Silver goes dull, copper turns green and iron rusts, but gold always stays shiny . Why this is the case has remained a mystery, but researchers may have finally figured out what makes the valuable me…
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Silver goes dull, copper turns green and iron rusts, but gold always stays shiny . Reconstruction isn’t common among metals, so the researchers wondered whether it contributes to gold’s inertness.
TL;DR:
Gold is chemically inert and so doesn't tarnish, but exactly why had been a mystery
Bbc
May 27, 05:16
Green jobs contributing £10.2bn to Scotland's economy, says CBI report
An industry report suggests that the net-zero economy is already established and employs more than 105,000 people.
TL;DR:
An industry report suggests that the net-zero economy is already established and employs more than 105,000 people.
Physical Review Letters
May 27, 00:16
Room-Temperature Superconductor Breakthrough Replicated
A team in Japan confirmed LK-99's room-temperature superconductivity with improved synthesis methods.
TL;DR:
A team in Japan confirmed LK-99's room-temperature superconductivity with improved synthesis methods.
Bbc
May 26, 20:25
Nasa unveils next steps to build permanent Moon base
Nasa plans to send hopping drones and roving vehicles to the Moon as part of plans for a permanent Moon base.
TL;DR:
Nasa plans to send hopping drones and roving vehicles to the Moon as part of plans for a permanent Moon base.
Arstechnica
May 26, 18:30
Want an oxygen-rich atmosphere? Stuff oxygen’s friends in the mantle.
Getting carbon and sulfur into Earth’s interior may be part of oxygen’s story.
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Want an oxygen-rich atmosphere? Stuff oxygen’s friends in the mantle.. Getting carbon and sulfur into Earth’s interior may be part of oxygen’s story.
TL;DR:
Getting carbon and sulfur into Earth’s interior may be part of oxygen’s story.
Foxnews
May 26, 17:04
NASA announces three new Moon missions as agency races to build permanent lunar base by end of 2026
NASA announces three new Moon missions as part of its Moon Base program, aiming to establish a permanent human presence on the lunar surface by 2026.
TL;DR:
NASA announces three new Moon missions as part of its Moon Base program, aiming to establish a permanent human presence on the lunar surface by 2026.
Newscientist
May 26, 17:00
How a radical new view of life could reveal its origin – and aliens
We've been looking at nature the wrong way, argues Rowan Hooper. If we stop focusing on the individual, we get a whole new picture of how life on Earth – and elsewhere – may have begun
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How a radical new view of life could reveal its origin – and aliens. We've been looking at nature the wrong way, argues Rowan Hooper. If we stop focusing on the individual, we get a whole new picture of how life on Earth – and elsewhere – may have begun
TL;DR:
We've been looking at nature the wrong way, argues Rowan Hooper.
Quantamagazine
May 26, 15:29
When Quiet Undersea Volcanoes Turn Disruptive
Earth’s largest volcanic system, hidden in mountain chains under the sea, has long been assumed to erupt only quietly. The shallow seafloor off Iceland tells another story. The post When Quiet Undersea Volcanoes Turn Disruptive first appeared on Quanta Magazine
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When Quiet Undersea Volcanoes Turn Disruptive. Earth’s largest volcanic system, hidden in mountain chains under the sea, has long been assumed to erupt only quietly. The post When Quiet Undersea Volcanoes Turn Disruptive first appeared on Quanta Magazine
TL;DR:
Earth’s largest volcanic system, hidden in mountain chains under the sea, has long been assumed to erupt only quietly.
Newscientist
May 26, 15:00
Space storms could switch train signals and cause serious accidents
Critical safety equipment in many train systems is vulnerable to disruption by space weather, which could lead to fatal accidents
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A number of electrical systems in the railways of many countries, including the UK, are vulnerable to space weather. Sometimes, the sun emits more material than usual in what’s known as a solar storm, which can affect Earth’s magnetic field.
TL;DR:
Critical safety equipment in many train systems is vulnerable to disruption by space weather, which could lead to fatal accidents
Theguardian
May 26, 12:45
Red-light masks: can they really slow ageing? – podcast
Home red-light therapy devices have exploded in popularity as masks, body wraps and mittens promise to reduce wrinkles, redness and even acne. But do the claims stack up, and what other benefits are scientists investigating? Ian Sample hears from his co-host, Madeleine Finlay, and the consultant dermatologist Dr Jonathan Kentley. Kentley explains how the potential benefits of red light were discovered, how it is thought to interact with collagen in our skin, and what science has to say about its impact on our appearance Is it true that … red light therapy masks prevent wrinkles? Support the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod Continue reading...
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Red-light masks: can they really slow ageing? But do the claims stack up, and what other benefits are scientists investigating? Kentley explains how the potential benefits of red light were discovered, how it is thought to interact with collagen in our skin, and what science has to say about its impact on our appearance Is it true that … red light therapy masks prevent wrinkle…
TL;DR:
Home red-light therapy devices have exploded in popularity as masks, body wraps and mittens promise to reduce wrinkles, redness and even acne.
Newscientist
May 26, 12:24
Earliest use of anaesthetics uncovered in Chinese doctor’s tomb
Residues on medical equipment reveal that physicians in China over 600 years ago used aconitine, a highly toxic plant chemical, to alleviate pain during surgical procedures
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Two medical instruments recovered from the 15th-century tomb of a Chinese surgeon carry traces of an anaesthetic compound, the earliest chemical evidence ever found of doctors attempting to reduce the pain of a medical procedure.
TL;DR:
Residues on medical equipment reveal that physicians in China over 600 years ago used aconitine, a highly toxic plant chemical, to alleviate pain during surgical procedures
Newscientist
May 26, 10:00
Will lab-grown sperm let infertile men have children of their own?
Men who do not produce sperm can’t be helped by existing fertility treatments, but a start-up is now claiming it can grow their sperm in the lab. Columnist Michael Le Page suspects this technique will have to be combined with gene editing if it is to help many men
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Will lab-grown sperm let infertile men have children of their own?. Men who do not produce sperm can’t be helped by existing fertility treatments, but a start-up is now claiming it can grow their sperm in the lab. Columnist Michael Le Page suspects this technique will have to be combined with gene editing if it is to help many men
TL;DR:
Men who do not produce sperm can’t be helped by existing fertility treatments, but a start-up is now claiming it can grow their sperm in the lab.
Newscientist
May 26, 10:00
Attack on Iran’s oil released as much pollution as a volcano
Airstrikes on Tehran earlier this year emitted a plume containing almost 30,000 tonnes of sulphur dioxide that reached Asian countries
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Israeli airstrikes on oil facilities in Tehran on 7 March led to sulphur dioxide emissions equivalent to a small volcanic eruption, potentially exposing people as far away as China to acid rain and toxic air pollution.
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Airstrikes on Tehran earlier this year emitted a plume containing almost 30,000 tonnes of sulphur dioxide that reached Asian countries
Bbc
May 25, 23:35
Britain's protected birds of prey still being shot, trapped and poisoned, says RSPB
The charity says more than half of attacks happened on or near land managed for game shooting.
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Britain's protected birds of prey still being shot, trapped and poisoned, says RSPB. The charity says more than half of attacks happened on or near land managed for game shooting.
TL;DR:
The charity says more than half of attacks happened on or near land managed for game shooting.
Newscientist
May 25, 17:00
Does gravity create reality? A shocking path to a theory of everything
A rewrite of quantum mechanics that includes the force of gravity could finally achieve one of physicists’ biggest goals and reveal the ultimate fuzziness of time
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Sometimes, you work tirelessly on a problem, only to realise you have been going about it all backwards. Imagine trying to fit a massive antique piano through a tiny doorway. You have tried everything – rotating it, removing the legs, forceful shoving – but you just can’t get it to fit.
TL;DR:
A rewrite of quantum mechanics that includes the force of gravity could finally achieve one of physicists’ biggest goals and reveal the ultimate fuzziness of time
Theguardian
May 25, 15:42
Did you solve it? Are you on board with these quirky chess puzzles?
The answers to today’s problems. Earlier today I set these four chess puzzles. Here they are again with solutions. 1. Oddities Continue reading...
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Are you on board with these quirky chess puzzles?. Earlier today I set these four chess puzzles. Oddities Continue reading...
TL;DR:
The answers to today’s problems.
Newscientist
May 25, 10:00
Mars astronauts may do laundry by blasting clothes with a plasma beam
There is currently no good way for astronauts in space to do laundry, but researchers may have finally come up with one: a bright purple jet of microbe-killing plasma
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A new method could mean that those on longer-duration missions will be able to have more of the comforts of home while on the moon or Mars. Aboard the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts tend to wear the same clothes for days on end and then pack them up to be thrown back towards Earth, where they burn up in the atmosphere.
TL;DR:
There is currently no good way for astronauts in space to do laundry, but researchers may have finally come up with one: a bright purple jet of microbe-killing plasma
Newscientist
May 25, 10:00
Why your brain needs plenty of “Aha!” moments
In the age of AI, instant answers to our questions are readily available. But columnist Helen Thomson finds that continuing to encourage those delicious flashes of insight that come from your own thoughts may be beneficial both for your everyday life and your long-term brain health
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In the age of AI, instant answers to our questions are readily available. But columnist Helen Thomson finds that continuing to encourage those delicious flashes of insight that come from your own thoughts may be beneficial both for your everyday life and your long-term brain health
TL;DR:
But columnist Helen Thomson finds that continuing to encourage those delicious flashes of insight that come from your own thoughts may be beneficial both for your everyday life and your long-term brain health
Theguardian
May 25, 06:10
Can you solve it? Are you on board with these quirky chess puzzles?
Check it out UPDATE: Read the answers here Today’s four puzzles are inspired by chess. (If you haven’t yet watched the recent documentaries on Judit Polgár and Hans Niemann , I recommend them.) 1. Oddities Continue reading...
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Are you on board with these quirky chess puzzles?. (If you haven’t yet watched the recent documentaries on Judit Polgár and Hans Niemann , I recommend them.) 1. Oddities Continue reading...
TL;DR:
Check it out UPDATE: Read the answers here Today’s four puzzles are inspired by chess.
Arstechnica
May 24, 11:15
Whatever the mirror test tells us, beluga whales pass it
The white whales join the short, contested list of animals that see themselves.
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Whatever the mirror test tells us, beluga whales pass it. The white whales join the short, contested list of animals that see themselves.
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The white whales join the short, contested list of animals that see themselves.
Theguardian
May 24, 10:30
The hill I will die on: If Hollywood blockbusters must dabble in science, can’t they get the small stuff right? | Helen Pilcher
Project Hail Mary, Jurassic Park: from dino-mosquitoes to a spaceship’s roar, pointless mistakes on the scientific details make me wince On the advice of my teenage son, I recently went to the cinema to see Project Hail Mary . The film has science in it. I am a science writer and so he was convinced I would like it. Imagine my surprise partway through, however, when I found myself seething so hard I thought I would combust. Ryland Grace – the main character and a molecular biologist who should have known better – had just put two plastic tubes into a centrifuge NEXT to each other! Helen Pilcher is a science writer and author of Life Changing: How Humans are Altering Life on Earth and This Book May Cause Side Effects Continue reading...
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The hill I will die on: If Hollywood blockbusters must dabble in science, can’t they get the small stuff right? Project Hail Mary, Jurassic Park: from dino-mosquitoes to a spaceship’s roar, pointless mistakes on the scientific details make me wince On the advice of my teenage son, I recently went to the cinema to see Project Hail Mary .
TL;DR:
Helen Pilcher is a science writer and author of Life Changing: How Humans are Altering Life on Earth and This Book May Cause Side Effects Continue reading...
Wired
May 24, 00:16
Lab-Grown Meat Receives Full FDA Approval for Retail Sale
Takeover He Blew the Whistle on DOGE. Then His Brakes Were Cut A federal IT staffer filed a complaint about DOGE, then went public.
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Takeover He Blew the Whistle on DOGE. Then His Brakes Were Cut A federal IT staffer filed a complaint about DOGE, then went public. Shortly after Elon Musk boosted a post calling his claims false, his brake lines were cut.
TL;DR:
The FDA granted full approval for cultivated chicken and beef products to be sold in grocery stores nationwide.
Arstechnica
May 23, 17:54
SpaceX's Starship V3—still a work in progress—mostly successful on first flight
SpaceX has more to prove before flying Starship all the way to low-Earth orbit.
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SpaceX's Starship V3—still a work in progress—mostly successful on first flight. SpaceX has more to prove before flying Starship all the way to low-Earth orbit.
TL;DR:
SpaceX has more to prove before flying Starship all the way to low-Earth orbit.
Arstechnica
May 23, 11:00
China’s shark finning could lead to US seafood sanctions
A formal petition to the US government calls for sanctions on Chinese seafood imports.
TL;DR:
A formal petition to the US government calls for sanctions on Chinese seafood imports.
Theguardian
May 23, 10:20
SpaceX rocket bursts into flames during Indian Ocean landing – video
SpaceX launched its biggest, most powerful Starship yet on a test flight on Friday. It was an upgraded version of the spacecraft Nasa is counting on to land astronauts on the moon. It blasted off from the southern tip of Texas, carrying 20 mock Starlink satellites that were released midway through the hour-long flight that stretched halfway around the world. Despite some engine trouble, the spacecraft reached its final destination in the Indian Ocean where it erupted into flames on impact. The fire was not unexpected, according to SpaceX SpaceX launches its biggest rocket yet in test flight from Texas Continue reading...
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SpaceX rocket bursts into flames during Indian Ocean landing – video. It was an upgraded version of the spacecraft Nasa is counting on to land astronauts on the moon. The fire was not unexpected, according to SpaceX SpaceX launches its biggest rocket yet in test flight from Texas Continue reading...
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SpaceX launched its biggest, most powerful Starship yet on a test flight on Friday.
Theguardian
May 23, 04:00
Stateside with Kai and Carter: why the fight over abortion pills is only just beginning – podcast
The US supreme court has preserved nationwide access to mail-order abortion pills – for now. As Carter Sherman explains, the fight to protect this medication is far from over, as a nationwide, near-total abortion ban could be on the horizon. Carter speaks with Dr Angel Foster, co-founder of the Massachusetts Medication Abortion Access Project, who reveals how the legal battle over abortion pills has affected patients across the US – and what could happen next Support the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod Continue reading...
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Stateside with Kai and Carter: why the fight over abortion pills is only just beginning – podcast. As Carter Sherman explains, the fight to protect this medication is far from over, as a nationwide, near-total abortion ban could be on the horizon.
TL;DR:
The US supreme court has preserved nationwide access to mail-order abortion pills – for now.
Bbc
May 22, 23:42
The space race to create gym equipment for future astronauts
Scientists are attempting to build exercise equipment to be used on future space flights.
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Scientists are attempting to build exercise equipment to be used on future space flights.
Bbc
May 22, 23:40
How to keep cool at your summer festivals
As the summer festival season kicks off, temperatures are set to soar this bank holiday weekend.
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As the summer festival season kicks off, temperatures are set to soar this bank holiday weekend.
Newscientist
May 22, 19:00
Mercury may have gained all of its unexpected water in a single day
Despite being the closest planet to the sun, Mercury has thick deposits of ice at its poles, and now we may understand the events that formed them over just one Mercurian day
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Around 100 million years ago, the surface of Mercury suddenly underwent a dramatic change. The poles of Mercury are home to craters whose bottoms never see sunlight, known as permanently shadowed regions. The distant world that is our best hope of finding alien life “We’ve known for a while that Mercury’s poles have ice.
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Despite being the closest planet to the sun, Mercury has thick deposits of ice at its poles, and now we may understand the events that formed them over just one Mercurian day
Newscientist
May 22, 18:00
Experimental mRNA vaccine may protect against multiple Ebola viruses
Tests with rodents suggest an mRNA vaccine in development offers protection against three strains of Ebola virus, including the one behind the current crisis
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A new mRNA vaccine has been developed that may provide long-term protection against the deadliest viruses in the Ebola family – including the Bundibugyo strain currently spreading in two African countries. Bundibugyo virus is a member of a group of pathogens known as orthoebolaviruses, which also includes the most common form of Ebola – the Zaire virus – and Sudan virus.
TL;DR:
Tests with rodents suggest an mRNA vaccine in development offers protection against three strains of Ebola virus, including the one behind the current crisis
Arstechnica
May 22, 17:22
Soaring solar and a surge in hydro push more coal off the US grid
The first data from 2026 seem to indicate that last year was an oddity.
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Soaring solar and a surge in hydro push more coal off the US grid. The first data from 2026 seem to indicate that last year was an oddity.
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The first data from 2026 seem to indicate that last year was an oddity.
Newscientist
May 22, 15:00
Political anger affects the body differently to other forms of anger
We all feel emotions like anger and disgust from time to time, but they seem to cause stronger bodily sensations when they're politically induced
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If the emotional rollercoaster of global politics feels overwhelming, the findings of a new study might help to explain why. Emotions evoked by political issues seem to be felt differently in the body than when the same emotions are experienced in everyday life.
TL;DR:
We all feel emotions like anger and disgust from time to time, but they seem to cause stronger bodily sensations when they're politically induced
Bbc
May 22, 14:28
Nearly 30 illegal waste 'super sites' revealed in new government watchlist
The list, published by the Environment Agency on Friday, includes 28 so-called "super sites" that contain more than 20,000 tonnes of waste.
TL;DR:
The list, published by the Environment Agency on Friday, includes 28 so-called "super sites" that contain more than 20,000 tonnes of waste.
Newscientist
May 22, 13:00
Australia is battling its largest diphtheria outbreak in living memory
Vaccine misinformation, nurse and doctor shortages and crowded living arrangements may be behind soaring rates of diphtheria in remote Indigenous communities in Australia
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Diphtheria is surging in Australia for the first time since widespread vaccination began in the 1930s. The majority have occurred in Indigenous communities in remote areas of the Northern Territory and Western Australia, with smaller numbers in Queensland and South Australia. Previously, the number of cases per year was typically zero or close to zero.
TL;DR:
Vaccine misinformation, nurse and doctor shortages and crowded living arrangements may be behind soaring rates of diphtheria in remote Indigenous communities in Australia
Newscientist
May 22, 10:00
How ageing on Earth mimics the effects of space travel
Life on the International Space Station may feel distant, but columnist Graham Lawton finds that studying how astronauts experience accelerated ageing could help us fight similar effects on Earth related to sedentary lifestyles, disrupted circadian rhythms and social isolation
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One of the most famous thought experiments in physics is the twin paradox, first proposed by Albert Einstein in his 1905 paper on special relativity, and later expanded on by physicist Paul Langevin. It goes something like this. He has a twin brother who stays on Earth.
TL;DR:
Life on the International Space Station may feel distant, but columnist Graham Lawton finds that studying how astronauts experience accelerated ageing could help us fight similar effects on Earth related to sedentary lifestyles, disrupted circadian rhythms and social isolation
Arstechnica
May 22, 02:05
Ground system issue scrubs first launch of SpaceX's Starship V3 rocket
Engineers could make another attempt to launch Starship as soon as Friday evening.
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Ground system issue scrubs first launch of SpaceX's Starship V3 rocket. Engineers could make another attempt to launch Starship as soon as Friday evening.
TL;DR:
Engineers could make another attempt to launch Starship as soon as Friday evening.
Foxnews
May 21, 20:35
AI robotic beehives installed in Florida community claim 70% reduction in colony collapse threatening crops
A Florida community deploys AI-powered robotic beehives to protect declining bee populations that pollinate roughly 75% of the crops Americans eat.
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A Florida community deploys AI-powered robotic beehives to protect declining bee populations that pollinate roughly 75% of the crops Americans eat.
Arstechnica
May 21, 19:26
JWST maps the weather on a hot gas giant 700 light-years away
The differences seen here could be throwing off how we study planetary atmospheres.
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JWST maps the weather on a hot gas giant 700 light-years away. The differences seen here could be throwing off how we study planetary atmospheres.
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The differences seen here could be throwing off how we study planetary atmospheres.
Newscientist
May 21, 17:13
Mathematicians stunned by AI's biggest breakthrough in mathematics yet
Artificial intelligence built by OpenAI has cracked a decades-old conjecture by Paul Erdős, which mathematicians have hailed as a monumental moment for AI in mathematics
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“This is a problem that I didn’t expect to see solved in my lifetime,” says Misha Rudnev at the University of Bristol, UK. “If a human had written the paper and submitted it to the Annals of Mathematics and I had been asked for a quick opinion, I would have recommended acceptance without any hesitation.
TL;DR:
Artificial intelligence built by OpenAI has cracked a decades-old conjecture by Paul Erdős, which mathematicians have hailed as a monumental moment for AI in mathematics
Newscientist
May 21, 16:00
Epic dreaming is leaving people exhausted and distressed
Some people experience vivid, incessant dreams that leave them feeling exhausted the next day, with researchers calling for this "epic dreaming" to be classed as a sleep disorder
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Imagine regularly waking up exhausted, not because you didn’t sleep, but because you seemingly spent the entire night immersed in incessant dreams . Our dreams become more emotive and symbolic as we approach death This woman, identified as 38-year-old Madame R, is one of four epic dreamers who have been assessed at two centres in France. Then there’s Monsieur D.
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Some people experience vivid, incessant dreams that leave them feeling exhausted the next day, with researchers calling for this "epic dreaming" to be classed as a sleep disorder
Bbc
May 21, 15:28
How do hurricanes and typhoons form and is climate change making them stronger?
These powerful tropical storms are generally becoming more intense as the world warms.
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How do hurricanes and typhoons form and is climate change making them stronger?. These powerful tropical storms are generally becoming more intense as the world warms.
TL;DR:
These powerful tropical storms are generally becoming more intense as the world warms.
Quantamagazine
May 21, 14:48
How Ecotypes Harbor the Genetic Memory of a Species’ Past
Evolutionary biologists are uncovering genomic mechanisms that allow populations to adapt quickly to different, hyperlocal habitats without splitting into new species. The post How Ecotypes Harbor the Genetic Memory of a Species’ Past first appeared on Quanta Magazine
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How Ecotypes Harbor the Genetic Memory of a Species’ Past. Evolutionary biologists are uncovering genomic mechanisms that allow populations to adapt quickly to different, hyperlocal habitats without splitting into new species. The post How Ecotypes Harbor the Genetic Memory of a Species’ Past first appeared on Quanta Magazine
TL;DR:
Evolutionary biologists are uncovering genomic mechanisms that allow populations to adapt quickly to different, hyperlocal habitats without splitting into new species.
Newscientist
May 21, 13:00
Women’s better memories may delay Alzheimer’s diagnosis by years
Women appear cognitively normal for almost three years longer than men after their brains start to develop Alzheimer’s disease, making it harder to diagnose and preventing early treatment
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Women tend to have more robust verbal memories than men, which can mask signs of early Alzheimer’s disease. The participants’ cognition was assessed by getting them to learn a list of 15 words that were read to them, then asking them to recall the words immediately, after being distracted with different words, and again later on.
TL;DR:
Women appear cognitively normal for almost three years longer than men after their brains start to develop Alzheimer’s disease, making it harder to diagnose and preventing early treatment
Theguardian
May 21, 04:00
Can a name change transform PCOS outcomes for women? – podcast
After more than a decade of global consultation, polycystic ovary syndrome – which affects as many as one in eight women – has been renamed. The condition is caused by high levels of androgens, which can lead to symptoms such as excess hair, weight gain and irregular periods. To understand why campaigners wanted it renamed, and what its new name – polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) – could mean for patients, Madeleine Finlay hears from the Guardian’s science correspondent, Nicola Davis, and Rachel, a campaigner from the charity Verity ‘Unprecedented’ global effort leads to renaming of polycystic ovary syndrome – and fresh hope for millions of women Support the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod Continue reading...
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Can a name change transform PCOS outcomes for women? The condition is caused by high levels of androgens, which can lead to symptoms such as excess hair, weight gain and irregular periods. To understand why campaigners wanted it renamed, and what its new name – polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) – could mean for patients, Madeleine Finlay hears from the Guardian’s…
TL;DR:
After more than a decade of global consultation, polycystic ovary syndrome – which affects as many as one in eight women – has been renamed.
Arstechnica
May 20, 21:26
NASA's Psyche spacecraft returns unfamiliar views of a familiar world
"As a bonus, it captured Mars images from a rare perspective."
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NASA's Psyche spacecraft returns unfamiliar views of a familiar world. "As a bonus, it captured Mars images from a rare perspective."
TL;DR:
"As a bonus, it captured Mars images from a rare perspective."
Newscientist
May 20, 20:00
Women’s body temperature rises from age 18 to 42 but we don’t know why
Women experience a steady rise in body temperature from their teens to midlife, which may be useful for monitoring ageing and overall health
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Resting body temperature rises a little bit each year in women from the age of 18 to 42, for reasons that are still being figured out. Gombert-Labedens and her colleagues re-examined the data in more detail to investigate the effect of age on temperature across different stages of the menstrual cycle.
TL;DR:
Women experience a steady rise in body temperature from their teens to midlife, which may be useful for monitoring ageing and overall health
Newscientist
May 20, 19:00
Photos reveal unexpected details from the world's first atomic test
Previously classified photos and documents show the scientific work that went into the world's first atomic test in 1945 – a test that, just weeks later, would see nuclear bombs dropped in Japan
TL;DR:
Previously classified photos and documents show the scientific work that went into the world's first atomic test in 1945 – a test that, just weeks later, would see nuclear bombs dropped in Japan
Newscientist
May 20, 19:00
How a visit to Stonehenge reminded me of deep time
On a visit to the UK, Sydney-based reporter James Woodford visited an archaeological site that was on his bucket list – and experienced a very special moment as the sun set
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The easiest and quickest way to see Stonehenge is to join the traffic jam of cars on the UK’s A303 road. Human origins and gentle walking in prehistoric south-west England Immerse yourself in the early human periods of the Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age on this gentle walking tour.
TL;DR:
On a visit to the UK, Sydney-based reporter James Woodford visited an archaeological site that was on his bucket list – and experienced a very special moment as the sun set
Newscientist
May 20, 19:00
Can we harness quantum effects to create a new kind of healthcare?
Experiments hint that quantum mechanisms are vital to the machinery of life. Now researchers are exploring if these effects help to explain the success of an array of puzzling health treatments
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Can we harness quantum effects to create a new kind of healthcare?. Experiments hint that quantum mechanisms are vital to the machinery of life. Now researchers are exploring if these effects help to explain the success of an array of puzzling health treatments
TL;DR:
Now researchers are exploring if these effects help to explain the success of an array of puzzling health treatments
Newscientist
May 20, 19:00
PMOS shows us why many scientific terms need to be renamed
Like covid-19 and mpox before it, the decision to relabel PCOS as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome is a welcome one – and reveals why a name is never just a name
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What do researchers of artificial intelligence, medicine and climate change have in common? As the fairy tale teaches us, knowing something’s “true name”, an ancient concept in folklore, gives us power over it. The same may be true for scientific terms.
TL;DR:
Like covid-19 and mpox before it, the decision to relabel PCOS as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome is a welcome one – and reveals why a name is never just a name
Newscientist
May 20, 19:00
This is the most underrated sci-fi film franchise of the 21st century
There’s unexpected news of a fifth movie for one of the most underrated sci-fi reboots. Hurray, says New Scientist film columnist Bethan Ackerley
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This is the most underrated sci-fi film franchise of the 21st century. There’s unexpected news of a fifth movie for one of the most underrated sci-fi reboots. Hurray, says New Scientist film columnist Bethan Ackerley
TL;DR:
There’s unexpected news of a fifth movie for one of the most underrated sci-fi reboots.
Newscientist
May 20, 19:00
Shiver me timbers: Do we have to worry about space pirates now?
Feedback goes down a "moon warfare" rabbit hole and discovers that some forward-thinkers are making plans to counteract as-yet-hypothetical pirates in space
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Readers may recall the existence of the US Space Force, the newest branch of the military. It seems the Space Force is establishing “a cislunar [near the moon] coordination office” to think through “the importance of the cislunar region for warfighting and national security”. It seems this requires the Space Force to establish some kind of operational control of cislunar space.
TL;DR:
Feedback goes down a "moon warfare" rabbit hole and discovers that some forward-thinkers are making plans to counteract as-yet-hypothetical pirates in space
Newscientist
May 20, 19:00
New Scientist recommends a devastating account of farming honeybees
Jennie Durant's Bitter Honey is a great exposé of the true cost of industrially farming US honeybees, finds Thomas Lewton. But the book's grim figures of bee death alone may not prompt deep change – how about seeing them as fellow creatures?
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New Scientist recommends a devastating account of farming honeybees. Jennie Durant's Bitter Honey is a great exposé of the true cost of industrially farming US honeybees, finds Thomas Lewton. But the book's grim figures of bee death alone may not prompt deep change – how about seeing them as fellow creatures?
TL;DR:
Jennie Durant's Bitter Honey is a great exposé of the true cost of industrially farming US honeybees, finds Thomas Lewton.
Arstechnica
May 20, 18:38
Chickens without eggs? De-extinction company creates artificial egg.
In the process, Colossal may have handed a useful tool to developmental biology.
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Chickens without eggs? De-extinction company creates artificial egg.. In the process, Colossal may have handed a useful tool to developmental biology.
TL;DR:
In the process, Colossal may have handed a useful tool to developmental biology.
Newscientist
May 20, 18:00
Putting CO2 into rocks and getting hydrogen out is climate double win
Storing carbon dioxide in rocks while producing hydrogen from them - and perhaps even geothermal power too - could be a double win on the climate front, and several groups are trying to make it happen
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We desperately need clean hydrogen for processes that cannot be powered by renewable electricity – and it might be possible to generate vast quantities from rocks deep underground while locking away carbon dioxide at the same time. “We hope to demonstrate that we will be able to generate hydrogen economically while sequestering CO2,” says team member Orsolya Gelencsér .
TL;DR:
Storing carbon dioxide in rocks while producing hydrogen from them - and perhaps even geothermal power too - could be a double win on the climate front, and several groups are trying to make it happen
Newscientist
May 20, 15:00
The Selfish Gene at 50: Why Dawkins’s evolution classic still holds up
When Richard Dawkins’s first blockbuster book was published half a century ago, few genes had ever been sequenced or studied in detail. Yet the book’s gene-centred view of evolution still has much to teach us in today’s genetic age
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The Selfish Gene at 50: Why Dawkins’s evolution classic still holds up. When Richard Dawkins’s first blockbuster book was published half a century ago, few genes had ever been sequenced or studied in detail. Yet the book’s gene-centred view of evolution still has much to teach us in today’s genetic age
TL;DR:
When Richard Dawkins’s first blockbuster book was published half a century ago, few genes had ever been sequenced or studied in detail.
Newscientist
May 20, 15:00
Intoxicating and astonishing: Why 'The Selfish Gene' almost never was
Fifty years ago, a draft of Richard Dawkins’s first book landed on book editor Michael Rodgers’s desk – and life was never the same
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The Selfish Gene , Richard Dawkins’s first book, was published in October 1976 and 50 years on, it is still selling, in more than 30 languages. For a science book – not least one with “gene” in its title – this is truly astonishing.
TL;DR:
Fifty years ago, a draft of Richard Dawkins’s first book landed on book editor Michael Rodgers’s desk – and life was never the same
Newscientist
May 20, 15:00
After news about Oliver Sacks's "lies", we revisit his best-loved book
Last year, The New Yorker revealed the late Sacks's "guilt" about his “falsification” in The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat, but is this story about more than just the facts?
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Sometimes, a popular science book goes out of fashion because new evidence disproves its central thesis, or because it contains outdated attitudes. It is a collection of case studies of people, mostly Sacks’s own patients, with neuropsychiatric conditions. Sacks brings us into the lives of people with amnesia, neurosyphilis, Tourette’s syndrome and much more.
TL;DR:
Last year, The New Yorker revealed the late Sacks's "guilt" about his “falsification” in The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat, but is this story about more than just the facts?
Quantamagazine
May 20, 14:52
Two Researchers Are Rebuilding Mathematics From the Ground Up
By replacing the most fundamental concept in topology, Peter Scholze and Dustin Clausen are taking the first step in a far bigger program to understand why numbers behave the way they do. The post Two Researchers Are Rebuilding Mathematics From the Ground Up first appeared on Quanta Magazine
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By replacing the most fundamental concept in topology, Peter Scholze and Dustin Clausen are taking the first step in a far bigger program to understand why numbers behave the way they do. The post Two Researchers Are Rebuilding Mathematics From the Ground Up first appeared on Quanta Magazine
TL;DR:
By replacing the most fundamental concept in topology, Peter Scholze and Dustin Clausen are taking the first step in a far bigger program to understand why numbers behave the way they do.
Quantamagazine
May 20, 14:50
How Alexander Grothendieck Revolutionized 20th-Century Mathematics
Grothendieck is revered in the world of math; outside of it, he’s known for his unusual life, if he’s known at all. But what were his actual mathematical contributions? The post How Alexander Grothendieck Revolutionized 20th-Century Mathematics first appeared on Quanta Magazine
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How Alexander Grothendieck Revolutionized 20th-Century Mathematics. Grothendieck is revered in the world of math; outside of it, he’s known for his unusual life, if he’s known at all. The post How Alexander Grothendieck Revolutionized 20th-Century Mathematics first appeared on Quanta Magazine
TL;DR:
Grothendieck is revered in the world of math; outside of it, he’s known for his unusual life, if he’s known at all.
Bbc
May 20, 09:23
Six ways to keep your home and yourself cool in hot weather
Six simple things you can do to help keep your house cool when temperatures rise.
TL;DR:
Six simple things you can do to help keep your house cool when temperatures rise.
Newscientist
May 20, 01:01
We may finally know why dinosaurs like T. rex evolved tiny arms
Five different groups of predatory dinosaurs independently evolved disproportionately small arms, and it seems they did so because their heads became so large and powerful
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With jaws like these, who needs big arms? rex wasn't the king of the dinosaurs Scherer and his colleagues compiled data on the proportions of the forelimbs and skulls of 85 theropod species, along with body-mass data.
TL;DR:
Five different groups of predatory dinosaurs independently evolved disproportionately small arms, and it seems they did so because their heads became so large and powerful
Bbc
May 19, 23:40
UK should set maximum working temperature rules, advisers say
Successive governments have failed to prepare the UK for extreme heat, the climate watchdog says.
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UK should set maximum working temperature rules, advisers say. Successive governments have failed to prepare the UK for extreme heat, the climate watchdog says.
TL;DR:
Successive governments have failed to prepare the UK for extreme heat, the climate watchdog says.
Arstechnica
May 19, 20:43
"I'll buy 10 of those"—NASA science chief yearns for mass-produced satellites
"How in the hell do I get more science into space? That is my goal."
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"I'll buy 10 of those"—NASA science chief yearns for mass-produced satellites. "How in the hell do I get more science into space? That is my goal."
TL;DR:
"How in the hell do I get more science into space?
Newscientist
May 19, 17:00
The distant world that is our best hope of finding alien life
A decade ago, we discovered an exceptionally exciting exoplanet that could be the best candidate for hosting alien life. Now we’re about to find out if it really is
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The distant world that is our best hope of finding alien life. A decade ago, we discovered an exceptionally exciting exoplanet that could be the best candidate for hosting alien life. Now we’re about to find out if it really is
TL;DR:
A decade ago, we discovered an exceptionally exciting exoplanet that could be the best candidate for hosting alien life.
Newscientist
May 19, 17:00
Solar farm on the ocean outperforms land-based solar in Taiwan
A solar farm in a tidal bay has generated more electricity and profits than a nearby coastal solar farm, but challenges could arise as floating solar moves further offshore
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The ocean could be the next frontier for the world’s rapidly expanding solar energy industry. Pound-for-pound, the floating solar produces 12 per cent more electricity than the land-based solar, they found. Even though it has slightly higher operations and maintenance costs, it generates 11 per cent net profit, as opposed to 8 per cent for the land-based solar.
TL;DR:
A solar farm in a tidal bay has generated more electricity and profits than a nearby coastal solar farm, but challenges could arise as floating solar moves further offshore
Foxnews
May 19, 16:10
Texas company hatches live chicks from artificial eggs in breakthrough that could revive the dodo: report
Colossal Biosciences says it hatched live chicks from artificial eggs for the first time, a step toward potentially reviving extinct birds like the dodo.
TL;DR:
Colossal Biosciences says it hatched live chicks from artificial eggs for the first time, a step toward potentially reviving extinct birds like the dodo.
Newscientist
May 19, 14:00
Wind-assisted cargo ships could more than halve shipping emissions
If wind-assisted cargo ships chose routes based entirely on where the winds are better, their fuel use could be cut in half or even completely eliminated
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The shipping industry is responsible for around 3 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions , and those emissions are growing – but adding high-tech sailing gear to cargo ships and greater use of wind-favourable shipping routes could cut them by more than half. There is growing interest among shipping companies in exploiting wind power, as it can help cut fuel costs.
TL;DR:
If wind-assisted cargo ships chose routes based entirely on where the winds are better, their fuel use could be cut in half or even completely eliminated
Newscientist
May 19, 13:09
Colossal claims an artificial eggshell will help it bring back the moa
Colossal Biosciences, the company that says it resurrected the dire wolf, now says it has developed artificial eggshells so it can replicate the huge eggs of the moa. Independent experts say this isn't nearly enough to bring back these giant birds
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Colossal claims an artificial eggshell will help it bring back the moa. Colossal Biosciences, the company that says it resurrected the dire wolf, now says it has developed artificial eggshells so it can replicate the huge eggs of the moa. Independent experts say this isn't nearly enough to bring back these giant birds
TL;DR:
Colossal Biosciences, the company that says it resurrected the dire wolf, now says it has developed artificial eggshells so it can replicate the huge eggs of the moa.
Newscientist
May 19, 11:00
Odd “butterfly” molecule could lead to new parts of the quantum realm
An exotic new molecule is shaped like a butterfly, complete with "wings" made from electrons. The discovery could provide a gateway to completely new parts of the quantum realm
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Odd “butterfly” molecule could lead to new parts of the quantum realm. An exotic new molecule is shaped like a butterfly, complete with "wings" made from electrons. The discovery could provide a gateway to completely new parts of the quantum realm
TL;DR:
An exotic new molecule is shaped like a butterfly, complete with "wings" made from electrons.
Newscientist
May 19, 10:00
The future of robot armies is here – and it’s not what you think
Robots are becoming more a part of our lives every year, and worries about a robot army rising up have long plagued the technology. But columnist Annalee Newitz talks to nanobot researchers and finds out the real robot army could be a welcome solution to medical or environmental problems
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The future of robot armies is here – and it’s not what you think. Robots are becoming more a part of our lives every year, and worries about a robot army rising up have long plagued the technology. But columnist Annalee Newitz talks to nanobot researchers and finds out the real robot army could be a welcome solution to medical or environmental problems
TL;DR:
Robots are becoming more a part of our lives every year, and worries about a robot army rising up have long plagued the technology.
Bbc
May 19, 05:16
Europe's oldest science park could be redeveloped
Cambridge Science Park submits plans which could create 20,000 jobs and new public spaces.
TL;DR:
Cambridge Science Park submits plans which could create 20,000 jobs and new public spaces.
Newscientist
May 19, 01:01
Mystery of the ancient giant stone jars of Laos may have been solved
In central Laos, the landscape is littered with enormous stone jars, some 3 metres high, and we may be closer to understanding how and when they were used
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The remains of at least 37 people have been found interred in a giant stone jar in Laos, reshaping our understanding of one of South-East Asia’s most puzzling ancient landscapes. The Plain of Jars has long been thought to be an ancient megalithic site, but who made the jars and what they were used for have remained mysterious.
TL;DR:
In central Laos, the landscape is littered with enormous stone jars, some 3 metres high, and we may be closer to understanding how and when they were used
Newscientist
May 18, 18:00
Flotation tanks deployed to combat PTSD after devastating wildfires
Maui in Hawaii experienced some of the worst wildfires in US history in 2023. Amid concerns of a PTSD epidemic, flotation tanks are being deployed to the island to help restore people's mental health
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Flotation tanks deployed to combat PTSD after devastating wildfires. Maui in Hawaii experienced some of the worst wildfires in US history in 2023. Amid concerns of a PTSD epidemic, flotation tanks are being deployed to the island to help restore people's mental health
TL;DR:
Maui in Hawaii experienced some of the worst wildfires in US history in 2023.
Newscientist
May 18, 17:00
What is love? Even a meeting on the subject can't find the answer
Scientists recently gathered for a conference called Love, Actually and in Theory, but didn't settle on a definition of the topic at hand
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As a romantic myself, I am hoping to get an answer to one of life’s biggest mysteries: what is love? “This is a big deal for love science. “There’s been an impression since the beginning that the science of love is not a serious science,” he says.
TL;DR:
Scientists recently gathered for a conference called Love, Actually and in Theory, but didn't settle on a definition of the topic at hand
Newscientist
May 18, 17:00
How I used psychology to come back from the worst year of my life
Work, illness, divorce: life is riddled with stressors out of your control. But research is revealing new ways to cope with these challenges and find hope instead of despair
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How I used psychology to come back from the worst year of my life. Work, illness, divorce: life is riddled with stressors out of your control. But research is revealing new ways to cope with these challenges and find hope instead of despair
TL;DR:
Work, illness, divorce: life is riddled with stressors out of your control.
Newscientist
May 18, 15:00
The 3 things you need to know about protein, according to an expert
Why have so many people become fixated on protein? Donald Layman is one of the people behind the research showing the benefits of getting more protein in your diet, but he thinks things have gone too far and wants to set the record straight
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The 3 things you need to know about protein, according to an expert. Why have so many people become fixated on protein? Donald Layman is one of the people behind the research showing the benefits of getting more protein in your diet, but he thinks things have gone too far and wants to set the record straight
TL;DR:
Why have so many people become fixated on protein?
Newscientist
May 18, 14:11
The Ebola emergency shines a light on the urgent need for new vaccines
A little-known strain of Ebola virus is behind an ongoing health emergency, prompting researchers to call for the acceleration of vaccine candidates against such infections
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Vaccines for a suite of lethal viruses – including the one behind the unfolding Ebola emergency – must be developed urgently, warn epidemiologists. They also caution that while the global pandemic potential of Ebola is minimal, the outbreak highlights the perils of funding cuts at the World Health Organization.
TL;DR:
A little-known strain of Ebola virus is behind an ongoing health emergency, prompting researchers to call for the acceleration of vaccine candidates against such infections
Newscientist
May 18, 13:00
Your body clock has seasonal rhythms and it matters for vaccines
We think of our body clock ticking over on a 24-hour cycle, but evidence is growing that it has seasonal rhythms, which could affect our response to vaccines
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Many people have the sense that their health ebbs and flows with the seasons. Now, research suggests that our response to vaccines – and our physiology more generally – varies across the year.
TL;DR:
We think of our body clock ticking over on a 24-hour cycle, but evidence is growing that it has seasonal rhythms, which could affect our response to vaccines
Newscientist
May 18, 11:00
The ‘doomsday’ glacier’s giant ice shelf is about to break away
The floating ice shelf of world’s widest glacier – Thwaites glacier in Antarctica – is detaching, with worrying implications for global sea-level rise
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Antarctica’s most threatened glacier is about to be further destabilised, as the floating ice shelf in front of Thwaites glacier is set to break away. Antarctica’s 'doomsday' glacier is heading for catastrophic collapse Dubbed the “doomsday glacier”, Thwaites is about the size of Britain, but it is shrinking rapidly and is already responsible for 4 per cent of all global sea-l…
TL;DR:
The floating ice shelf of world’s widest glacier – Thwaites glacier in Antarctica – is detaching, with worrying implications for global sea-level rise
Newscientist
May 18, 10:00
The hidden pockets of the universe where the future can cause the past
Inside some very special black holes, there may be a boundary called a Cauchy horizon. Columnist Leah Crane explores the place beyond which physics breaks and anything is possible
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The hidden pockets of the universe where the future can cause the past. Inside some very special black holes, there may be a boundary called a Cauchy horizon. Columnist Leah Crane explores the place beyond which physics breaks and anything is possible
TL;DR:
Inside some very special black holes, there may be a boundary called a Cauchy horizon.
Newscientist
May 16, 09:00
Himalayan wolf-dog hybrids emerge as a threat to wolves and people
In Ladakh, Himalayan wolves are increasingly breeding with feral dogs, giving rise to a new animal known as khipshang that could injure humans and outcompete other carnivores
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The greyish coat, the effortless trot over soft snow, the way it stops, stalks, then strikes, picking off a marmot and ending it with one bite: it’s a wolf. Watching this one make quick work of the marmot as a blue spring day turns grey, it is obvious they are survivors, but their future is in jeopardy.
TL;DR:
In Ladakh, Himalayan wolves are increasingly breeding with feral dogs, giving rise to a new animal known as khipshang that could injure humans and outcompete other carnivores
Newscientist
May 15, 16:41
First test of CO2 removal with green sand finds no harm to marine life
Adding olivine to the ocean could remove CO2 from the atmosphere, and a pilot project in New York state found no signs of adverse effects on seafloor organisms
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The first trial to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide by adding crushed olivine to the ocean had no adverse effects on the seafloor ecosystem in its first year. The addition of olivine to the ocean should still be carefully regulated, “but there might be ways that it could work and have a minimal effect”, says Emilia Jankowska at the non-profit group Hourglass Climate, who led…
TL;DR:
Adding olivine to the ocean could remove CO2 from the atmosphere, and a pilot project in New York state found no signs of adverse effects on seafloor organisms
Newscientist
May 15, 16:00
SpaceX is about to launch tallest and most powerful rocket in history
A record-breaking new version of Starship, due to launch within days, could form the basis of NASA's ambitious Artemis programme that aims to put humans back on the moon as soon as 2028
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SpaceX will fly an extensively upgraded Starship next week that will – if it launches successfully – break records as the tallest and most powerful rocket in history. Starship is made up of two parts: an upper stage, confusingly also called Starship, and a lower stage called Super Heavy.
TL;DR:
A record-breaking new version of Starship, due to launch within days, could form the basis of NASA's ambitious Artemis programme that aims to put humans back on the moon as soon as 2028
Newscientist
May 15, 15:40
Cleaning up air pollution could weaken vital AMOC ocean current
Global warming already threatens to destabilise the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, and new research shows that regional clean-air policies could reduce its strength further
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Cleaning up air pollution in Europe and North America could result in more weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), an ocean current that is critical for Europe’s climate.
TL;DR:
Global warming already threatens to destabilise the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, and new research shows that regional clean-air policies could reduce its strength further
Newscientist
May 15, 11:00
CAR T-cell therapy bolstered by stiffening up cancer cells first
CAR T-cell therapy has been hugely successful in treating certain types of tumours, and stiffening up cancer cells beforehand could make it even more effective
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Making cancer cells stiffer bolstered the effects of immunotherapy, when the immune system is manipulated to kill off tumours, in mice with the most serious form of skin cancer. I think it’s highly promising.” Cancer cells are often softer than healthy cells.
TL;DR:
CAR T-cell therapy has been hugely successful in treating certain types of tumours, and stiffening up cancer cells beforehand could make it even more effective
Newscientist
May 15, 10:00
Where do you think your ‘self’ is? Your answer is revealing
People who imagine their self to reside in their head or their heart have different approaches to life. Columnist David Robson explores the benefits of learning to shift where you sense your self, and how this practice could improve your relationships and decision-making
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People who imagine their self to reside in their head or their heart have different approaches to life. Columnist David Robson explores the benefits of learning to shift where you sense your self, and how this practice could improve your relationships and decision-making
TL;DR:
People who imagine their self to reside in their head or their heart have different approaches to life.
Newscientist
May 14, 16:40
Vocal fry is more common in men, actually, find scientists
The creaky noise known as vocal fry that people generally associate with young women – and some find irritating – is actually more common in men
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If you have listened to a podcast or watched a video on TikTok lately, you will probably be familiar with vocal fry, even if you didn’t know it had a name. Vocal fry describes the creaky sound that occurs when we speak in our lowest vocal register.
TL;DR:
The creaky noise known as vocal fry that people generally associate with young women – and some find irritating – is actually more common in men
Newscientist
May 14, 15:00
Will burying dead trees after a wildfire keep their carbon locked up?
Partially burnt trees still standing after a wildfire are typically felled and burned, but a US start-up claims burying them instead will trap the carbon underground for centuries
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The blaze killed 50,000 trees, mostly ponderosa pines, that had shaded cattle grazing on the Gentry Ranch. Standard practice would have been to burn the trees in piles, emitting almost 7000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Mast can also sell carbon credits to pay for planting new trees.
TL;DR:
Partially burnt trees still standing after a wildfire are typically felled and burned, but a US start-up claims burying them instead will trap the carbon underground for centuries
Newscientist
May 14, 13:00
3 things you need to know about quantum computers, from an expert
What use is a quantum computer? Perhaps both more and less than you think, according to quantum computing expert Shayan Majidy
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3 things you need to know about quantum computers, from an expert. What use is a quantum computer? Perhaps both more and less than you think, according to quantum computing expert Shayan Majidy
TL;DR:
What use is a quantum computer?
Newscientist
May 14, 11:00
Melting of Greenland ice sheet could release methane 'fire ice'
Seismic surveys and sediment cores suggest that dozens of deep pockmarks on the sea floor were created when Arctic methane stores were disrupted by climate change after the last glacial maximum – and scientists warn it could happen again
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Methane hydrates form when gas molecules are trapped in a cage of water molecules, freezing into an ice-like substance. Now, researchers have found that flows of glacial meltwater in Greenland can also unleash methane hydrates. “It is methane we thought was stable.”
TL;DR:
Seismic surveys and sediment cores suggest that dozens of deep pockmarks on the sea floor were created when Arctic methane stores were disrupted by climate change after the last glacial maximum – and scientists warn it could happen again
Newscientist
May 14, 11:00
Rebooting stem cells builds aged muscles and assists injury recovery
Muscle stem cells, which are crucial for building new muscle, don’t work as well as we get older, but giving them an artificial boost could rejuvenate them
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Old mice grow bigger muscles and recover from injuries better when stem cells are taken out of their aged muscles, given a reboot, then put back in. Rapid bursts of ageing are causing a total rethink of how we grow old Muscle stem cells generally lie dormant in muscle tissue, but when a muscle is injured, they grow into new muscle cells to patch up the damage.
TL;DR:
Muscle stem cells, which are crucial for building new muscle, don’t work as well as we get older, but giving them an artificial boost could rejuvenate them
Newscientist
May 13, 20:00
Neanderthals treated a dental cavity by drilling into the tooth
A Neanderthal tooth shows clear signs of human intervention to treat bacterial decay, showing that the earliest dentistry began at least 59,000 years ago
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A 59,000-year-old Neanderthal tooth found in a Siberian cave shows signs of deliberate drilling to treat a deep cavity, pushing back the earliest evidence of dentistry by about 45,000 years. While the procedure would have been excruciating, it probably led to pain relief in the individual, who went on to chew with the tooth, possibly for years, says Kseniya Kolobova at the Rus…
TL;DR:
A Neanderthal tooth shows clear signs of human intervention to treat bacterial decay, showing that the earliest dentistry began at least 59,000 years ago
Newscientist
May 13, 19:00
Shocking turtle photo reveals efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade
Winner of an environmental photography award, this shot of a sea turtle seen under ultraviolet light shows how forensic evidence is being used to help catch poachers and animal traffickers
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The illegal trade in live and dead animals funds crime and political corruption and threatens biodiversity. Jaschinski says the dead turtle was confiscated at London’s Heathrow Airport and transported to ZSL, but that details about how the handprint was left on the turtle, and by whom, are “highly confidential”.
TL;DR:
Winner of an environmental photography award, this shot of a sea turtle seen under ultraviolet light shows how forensic evidence is being used to help catch poachers and animal traffickers
Newscientist
May 13, 19:00
Arctic fires are releasing carbon stored for thousands of years
A study of soils around the Arctic and boreal forests has found that some wildfires are releasing carbon stored over millennia, meaning higher CO2 emissions than assumed
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The wildfires that have been raging in many places around the Arctic in recent years could be contributing much more to global warming than currently thought. “Soil combustion could unlock long-stored carbon from soils that have been considered previously as carbon sinks,” said Meri Ruppel at the Finnish Meteorological Institute in Helsinki.
TL;DR:
A study of soils around the Arctic and boreal forests has found that some wildfires are releasing carbon stored over millennia, meaning higher CO2 emissions than assumed
Newscientist
May 13, 19:00
New Scientist recommends a smart new account of human exceptionalism
Why did humans decide they weren't like other animals, or animals at all? Has this exceptionalism twisted us out of shape? Michael Bond's book Animate offers a page-turning account of where we are now
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New Scientist recommends a smart new account of human exceptionalism. Why did humans decide they weren't like other animals, or animals at all? Michael Bond's book Animate offers a page-turning account of where we are now
TL;DR:
Why did humans decide they weren't like other animals, or animals at all?
Newscientist
May 13, 19:00
New Scientist recommends visiting the blooming corpse flower at Kew
In the greenhouse at Kew Gardens in London, a small crowd is forming, drawn to a peculiar stench in the back.
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In the greenhouse at Kew Gardens in London, a small crowd is forming, drawn to a peculiar stench in the back. A corpse flower, the mighty Amorphophallus titanum , has bloomed for the first time in years here, standing more than 2.5 metres tall. Staff from around Kew keep stopping by to snap a picture and take in the flower’s scent.
TL;DR:
The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week
Newscientist
May 13, 19:00
Science doesn't have a monopoly on good ideas
Scientific disciplines often shy away from asking fundamental "what if" questions. But philosophy – if unencumbered by dogma or ideology – has much to offer evidence-based enquiry
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Science doesn't have a monopoly on good ideas. Scientific disciplines often shy away from asking fundamental "what if" questions. But philosophy – if unencumbered by dogma or ideology – has much to offer evidence-based enquiry
TL;DR:
Scientific disciplines often shy away from asking fundamental "what if" questions.
Newscientist
May 13, 19:00
Suzanne Simard on the wood wide web, connectedness – and Avatar
Rowan Hooper met ecologist Suzanne Simard under an oak tree in Kew Gardens, London, to talk about her new book, criticism of her work, and getting a call from James Cameron's people
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To some, forest ecologist Suzanne Simard is a pioneer in the tradition of Jane Goodall, Rachel Carson and Lynn Margulis. In 2021, Simard published Finding the Mother Tree: Uncovering the wisdom and intelligence of the forest . Drawing again on that work, she has just published When the Forest Breathes , a sequel to Finding the Mother Tree .
TL;DR:
Rowan Hooper met ecologist Suzanne Simard under an oak tree in Kew Gardens, London, to talk about her new book, criticism of her work, and getting a call from James Cameron's people
Newscientist
May 13, 17:08
Asteroid set to fly very close to Earth
An asteroid with the potential to ruin a city will pass Earth next week. 2026JH2 , as it has been labelled by the astronomy community, is predicted to zoom by our planet at an estimated distance of 9…
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An asteroid with the potential to ruin a city will pass Earth next week. We could protect Earth from dangerous asteroids using a huge magnet Within the next year, there are only five known asteroids that will pass within the orbit of the moon, and only one other will come closer than 2026JH2.
TL;DR:
Asteroid 2026JH2 has enough mass to wipe out a city and will zoom past Earth next week
Newscientist
May 13, 17:00
Why autism pioneer Uta Frith wants to dismantle the spectrum
After a career spent grappling with the neural underpinnings of autism, Uta Frith is unwavering in her controversial call to scrap our current view of the condition and start again
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Frith has been searching for the mechanisms that underpin the enigmatic condition of autism ever since she first met profoundly autistic children in the late 1960s. But Frith thinks that many people at the milder end of the spectrum have little in common with those who are profoundly autistic. “That is the sign that the spectrum isn’t holding.”
TL;DR:
After a career spent grappling with the neural underpinnings of autism, Uta Frith is unwavering in her controversial call to scrap our current view of the condition and start again
Newscientist
May 13, 17:00
Ancient teeth hint at links between Denisovans and Homo erectus
Six teeth roughly 400,000 years old have yielded some of the first ancient proteins thought to belong to Homo erectus, providing molecular clues to their relationships with other hominins
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For the first time, researchers have obtained substantial amounts of preserved protein from fossils believed to belong to the ancient human species Homo erectus . erectus fossils before, this is the first time they have revealed meaningful information about the species. erectus tooth from Dmanisi.
TL;DR:
Six teeth roughly 400,000 years old have yielded some of the first ancient proteins thought to belong to Homo erectus, providing molecular clues to their relationships with other hominins
Newscientist
May 13, 17:00
Natural sunscreen found in fish eggs can be made by E. coli factories
Genetically altered bacteria can synthesise gadusol, a naturally occurring compound found in zebrafish eggs that could be developed as an alternative to existing sunscreen products that can harm marine life
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A compound that protects transparent fish eggs from the sun’s rays has been produced in the lab by genetically altering bacteria to create so-called microbial cell factories. Easier production of gadusol brings the chemical one step closer to use as a more eco-friendly, transparent sunscreen for humans.
TL;DR:
Genetically altered bacteria can synthesise gadusol, a naturally occurring compound found in zebrafish eggs that could be developed as an alternative to existing sunscreen products that can harm marine life
Newscientist
May 13, 13:00
New rules confirm public has a right to see how UK government uses AI
Government departments and other public bodies in the UK must consider requests to release information about AI-produced content, regulators have confirmed. The move follows a successful request by New Scientist for the release of a minister's ChatGPT logs
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New rules confirm public has a right to see how UK government uses AI. Government departments and other public bodies in the UK must consider requests to release information about AI-produced content, regulators have confirmed. The move follows a successful request by New Scientist for the release of a minister's ChatGPT logs
TL;DR:
Government departments and other public bodies in the UK must consider requests to release information about AI-produced content, regulators have confirmed.
Newscientist
May 12, 17:00
Can cloud seeding save us from water bankruptcy?
We’ve long tried to control the weather by engineering rainfall. Now such cloud-seeding efforts are escalating, creating conflict between countries and stoking conspiracy theories. But do they work?
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Can cloud seeding save us from water bankruptcy?. We’ve long tried to control the weather by engineering rainfall. Now such cloud-seeding efforts are escalating, creating conflict between countries and stoking conspiracy theories.
TL;DR:
We’ve long tried to control the weather by engineering rainfall.
Theguardian
May 12, 15:02
The hantavirus outbreak has been well-handled – but there are still dangerous days ahead | Devi Sridhar
All the protocols that health experts like me look for have been followed. But outbreaks on cruise ships are notoriously hard to control Prof Devi Sridhar is chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh Hantavirus: the disease you wish you’d never heard of, as visions of the Covid pandemic flash through your head. I’ve seen lots of breathless coverage and some bizarre takes on social media, so I imagine many people are confused as to what’s going on. Let me start by saying that this isn’t the Covid pandemic – only Covid was Covid. Previous hantavirus outbreaks have been contained (although none were on a cruise ship). So, for now, the risk to the general public is low – colleagues and I are still carrying on as normal and watching to see whether new infections arise outside the original cruise ship group . Those new infections would be the key step-change determining whether we see further spread and higher-risk public health alerts – or whether we’re at the end of this outbreak. Prof Devi Sridhar is chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, and the author of How Not to Die (Too Soon) Continue reading...
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The hantavirus outbreak has been well-handled – but there are still dangerous days ahead | Devi Sridhar. But outbreaks on cruise ships are notoriously hard to control Prof Devi Sridhar is chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh Hantavirus: the disease you wish you’d never heard of, as visions of the Covid pandemic flash through your head.
TL;DR:
All the protocols that health experts like me look for have been followed.
Theguardian
May 12, 15:00
Sound baths are supposed to help relax and ‘soothe’ your nervous system. But do any of these claims ring true? | Antiviral
Social media is awash with clips of people paying to be ‘bathed’ in sound. But what’s the science behind the practice? Read more in the Antiviral series I, for one, am partial to a bath: what’s not to love about a dim room, candles and nary an electronic device in sight? But a wellness trend that has emerged in recent years makes soaking in tepid water seem quaint: increasingly, people are paying to be “bathed” in sound. Continue reading...
More:
Sound baths are supposed to help relax and ‘soothe’ your nervous system. Read more in the Antiviral series I, for one, am partial to a bath: what’s not to love about a dim room, candles and nary an electronic device in sight? But a wellness trend that has emerged in recent years makes soaking in tepid water seem quaint: increasingly, people are paying to be “bathed” in sound.
TL;DR:
Social media is awash with clips of people paying to be ‘bathed’ in sound.
Newscientist
May 12, 13:00
Carbon credits are flawed, but they can still help save forests
Carbon credits bought by companies to offset their emissions really have reduced deforestation, but not by as much as credit developers claim, according to a rigorous analysis
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In 1986, an energy CEO heard a briefing about climate change and felt guilty that his company was building a coal-fired power plant in Connecticut. The company eventually paid to plant trees for timber in Guatemala so farmers would stop cutting down intact forest, in theory compensating for the coal plant’s carbon emissions.
TL;DR:
Carbon credits bought by companies to offset their emissions really have reduced deforestation, but not by as much as credit developers claim, according to a rigorous analysis
Newscientist
May 12, 11:00
PCOS has been officially renamed PMOS, and it’s a momentous move
PCOS will now be known as PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome), and for Alice Klein, who has the condition, it's been a long time coming
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has finally got a new name. I was appalled to see my ovaries covered in dark spots, so-called “cysts”. I first wrote about the condition in 2018 and it was the most-read article I have ever produced, which told me I wasn’t alone in wanting to understand it better.
TL;DR:
PCOS will now be known as PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome), and for Alice Klein, who has the condition, it's been a long time coming
Newscientist
May 12, 11:00
Why do particle physicists like spending time in fields?
The concept of a field plays a key role in particle physics, but what exactly is it? From its origins in the study of magnetism to the quantum fields of today, columnist Chanda Prescod-Weinstein goes exploring
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Why do particle physicists like spending time in fields?. The concept of a field plays a key role in particle physics, but what exactly is it? From its origins in the study of magnetism to the quantum fields of today, columnist Chanda Prescod-Weinstein goes exploring
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The concept of a field plays a key role in particle physics, but what exactly is it?
Theguardian
May 12, 10:00
US government studies into vaccine safety are being suppressed | Robert B Shpiner
The Food and Drug Administration commissioned the research and received the answer, but is not releasing it Last week, the New York Times and the Washington Post reported yet another troubling case of data suppression at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Studies of millions of vaccine recipients were completed by career scientists, peer-reviewed and accepted by working pharmacovigilance journals; after political appointees declined to sign off, they were withdrawn. The agency commissioned the work and received the answer, but is not releasing it. In October, FDA scientists were directed to withdraw two Covid-19 vaccine safety studies that had already been accepted by the journals Drug Safety and Vaccine. In February, top officials declined to sign off on submitting Shingrix safety abstracts to a major drug-safety conference. The Covid studies were not small. One examined the records of 7.5 million Medicare beneficiaries for 14 pre-specified adverse outcomes after 2023–2024 Covid-19 vaccination, using a self-controlled case-series design with follow-up of up to 90 days. Only one signal – anaphylaxis at roughly one per million Pfizer-BioNTech doses – exceeded statistical noise. A second examined 4.2 million recipients aged six months to 64 years for more than a dozen outcomes; it identified the rare febrile-seizure and myocarditis signals already on the label. The Shingrix safety analysis confirmed the elevated but low Guillain-Barré risk that has been on the package insert for years. Robert B Shpiner is a clinical professor of medicine (pulmonary and critical care) and associate professor of neurosurgery (neurocritical care) at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where he has practiced critical care for more than 40 years Continue reading...
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US government studies into vaccine safety are being suppressed | Robert B Shpiner. Only one signal – anaphylaxis at roughly one per million Pfizer-BioNTech doses – exceeded statistical noise.
TL;DR:
In October, FDA scientists were directed to withdraw two Covid-19 vaccine safety studies that had already been accepted by the journals Drug Safety and Vaccine.
Newscientist
May 12, 06:00
A new tectonic plate boundary could be forming in southern Africa
Gases collected from boiling mineral springs in Zambia contain the chemical signature of having come directly from the Earth’s mantle, a sign of a rupture in the tectonic plates and the possible beginning of a new continental boundary
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The African continent may have begun tearing itself apart in a new location. There are many rift valleys around the world where continents have been pulling apart for tens of millions of years, including the East African Rift valley, which runs from the Red Sea to Mozambique.
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Gases collected from boiling mineral springs in Zambia contain the chemical signature of having come directly from the Earth’s mantle, a sign of a rupture in the tectonic plates and the possible beginning of a new continental boundary
Newscientist
May 11, 19:00
The story of the first human tool: the humble container
An analysis of ancient human artefacts finds that the container, a simple but critical tool, may have originated 500,000 years ago. Columnist Michael Marshall explores how slings, ostrich eggs and wooden trays helped our ancestors survive
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The story of the first human tool: the humble container. An analysis of ancient human artefacts finds that the container, a simple but critical tool, may have originated 500,000 years ago. Columnist Michael Marshall explores how slings, ostrich eggs and wooden trays helped our ancestors survive
TL;DR:
An analysis of ancient human artefacts finds that the container, a simple but critical tool, may have originated 500,000 years ago.
Newscientist
May 11, 19:00
Can floating data centres meet AI's huge energy demand?
A US start-up is putting autonomous data centres in the ocean, powered by wave energy, but experts warn that the harsh environment could make maintenance challenging
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The data centres powering the AI boom already use more electricity than some small countries, and the International Energy Agency projects that their demand could reach 945 terawatt-hours a year – more than Japan’s entire electricity consumption – by 2030.
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A US start-up is putting autonomous data centres in the ocean, powered by wave energy, but experts warn that the harsh environment could make maintenance challenging
Newscientist
May 11, 17:00
Where did the laws of physics come from? I think I've found the answer
The rules governing gravity and other laws of nature seem like eternal truths, but cosmologist João Magueijo has always questioned their origins. Now, he has a bold new proposal
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The rules governing gravity and other laws of nature seem like eternal truths, but cosmologist João Magueijo has always questioned their origins. Now, he has a bold new proposal
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The rules governing gravity and other laws of nature seem like eternal truths, but cosmologist João Magueijo has always questioned their origins.
Theguardian
May 11, 16:00
Did you solve it? I say tomato, you say tomato
The answers to today’s pronunciation puzzles Earlier today I set you these two word puzzles. Here they are again with solutions. 1: Pronounced the same, spelt differently. (Second option) (Switch back and forth) (Suitable) (Commandeer) (Satisfied) (Components) (Conference attendee) (Assign) (Price reduction) (Disregard) (Way in) (Enrapture) (Incorrect) (Disabled) (60 seconds) (Tiny) (In attendance) (Give) (Fruit and vegetables) (Generate) (Deny) (Rubbish) (Distress) (Surprise victory) Alternate Appropriate Content Delegate Discount Entrance Invalid Minute Present Produce Refuse Upset Continue reading...
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The answers to today’s pronunciation puzzles Earlier today I set you these two word puzzles. 1: Pronounced the same, spelt differently. (Second option) (Switch back and forth) (Suitable) (Commandeer) (Satisfied) (Components) (Conference attendee) (Assign) (Price reduction) (Disregard) (Way in) (Enrapture) (Incorrect) (Disabled) (60 seconds) (Tiny) (In attendance) (Give) (Fruit…
TL;DR:
The answers to today’s pronunciation puzzles Earlier today I set you these two word puzzles.
Newscientist
May 11, 13:00
Huge study of ancient British DNA reveals only minor Roman influence
Genetic analysis of 1039 people buried in Britain between the Bronze Age and the Norman conquest highlights the impact of the Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings on the island’s ancestry
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Despite the Romans’ huge cultural and social impact on Britain, the genetic trace they left behind was surprisingly small, according to a study of more than a thousand ancient genomes. Roman occupation began in AD 43, immediately after the Iron Age, and lasted until 410.
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Genetic analysis of 1039 people buried in Britain between the Bronze Age and the Norman conquest highlights the impact of the Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings on the island’s ancestry
Theguardian
May 11, 06:10
Can you solve it? I say tomato, you say tomato
Pronunciation puzzles UPDATE: Answers can be read here A homonym is a word that has the same pronunciation as, or is spelt identical to, another word with a different meaning. For example, the letter “a” has the homonym “eh”. (Second option) (Switch back and forth) (Suitable) (Commandeer) (Satisfied) (Components) (Conference attendee) (Assign) (Price reduction) (Disregard) (Way in) (Enrapture) (Incorrect) (Disabled) (60 seconds) (Tiny) (In attendance) (Give) (Fruit and vegetables) (Generate) (Deny) (Rubbish) (Distress) (Surprise victory) Continue reading...
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Pronunciation puzzles UPDATE: Answers can be read here A homonym is a word that has the same pronunciation as, or is spelt identical to, another word with a different meaning. For example, the letter “a” has the homonym “eh”.
TL;DR:
Pronunciation puzzles UPDATE: Answers can be read here A homonym is a word that has the same pronunciation as, or is spelt identical to, another word with a different meaning.
Newscientist
May 10, 08:00
Tiny 'metajets' could use light to steer sails for interstellar travel
Minuscule silicon wafers propelled by lasers could be used to steer light sails, helping them travel beyond the solar system
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Interstellar travel propelled by light just got one step closer. He and his colleagues created a tiny device called a metajet that uses refraction of light, not just reflection, to move in more than one direction at once. The device is a material called a metasurface , an extremely thin sheet textured to manipulate light.
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Minuscule silicon wafers propelled by lasers could be used to steer light sails, helping them travel beyond the solar system
Newscientist
May 9, 08:00
A vast dam across the Bering Strait could stop the AMOC collapsing
If a key ocean current collapses it could plunge northern Europe into a big freeze. Now researchers are weighing up a drastic intervention – building a 130-kilometre-wide dam between the US and Russia
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A vast dam across the Bering Strait could stop the AMOC collapsing. If a key ocean current collapses it could plunge northern Europe into a big freeze. Now researchers are weighing up a drastic intervention – building a 130-kilometre-wide dam between the US and Russia
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If a key ocean current collapses it could plunge northern Europe into a big freeze.
Newscientist
May 8, 19:33
US government releases huge batch of UFO files
The US Department of Defense has released hundreds of documents and photographs related to UFOs, some of which have been declassified, in the first of many drops to come
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The US Department of Defense (DoD) released a trove of files on UFOs . The files include images along with government documents and correspondence, some of which were classified until now. “These files, hidden behind classifications, have long fueled justified speculation – and it’s time the American people see it for themselves,” said US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in a…
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The US Department of Defense has released hundreds of documents and photographs related to UFOs, some of which have been declassified, in the first of many drops to come
Newscientist
May 8, 17:00
Doubling their genomes may have helped plants survive mass extinctions
Many flowering plants have duplicated genomes, which could have helped them evolve to deal with extreme stress in times of environmental upheaval
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Extra copies of genetic instructions may have helped flowering plants survive mass extinctions, including the catastrophe that saw off the dinosaurs. Plants like potatoes and some wheat varieties have four copies of their chromosomes. Others might have eight copies or more.
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Many flowering plants have duplicated genomes, which could have helped them evolve to deal with extreme stress in times of environmental upheaval
Newscientist
May 8, 16:07
Fire is spreading in the Chernobyl exclusion zone after drone crash
A drone has crashed in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, causing a fire that has spread to 12 square kilometres of land. Dry weather, strong winds and the presence of land mines are complicating efforts to bring the blaze under control
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Fire is spreading in the Chernobyl exclusion zone after drone crash. A drone has crashed in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, causing a fire that has spread to 12 square kilometres of land. Dry weather, strong winds and the presence of land mines are complicating efforts to bring the blaze under control
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A drone has crashed in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, causing a fire that has spread to 12 square kilometres of land.
Newscientist
May 8, 15:08
There has been a sudden increase in the rate of sea level rise
Satellite measurements show that in the early 2010s sea level rise suddenly accelerated to a rate of 4.1 millimetres per year, possibly in response to an increase in the rate of global warming
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There has been an abrupt change in the rate of sea level rise as measured by satellites. How climate change has pushed our oceans to the brink of catastrophe The average global sea level has already risen by more than 0.2 metres over the past 150 years as a result of global warming.
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Satellite measurements show that in the early 2010s sea level rise suddenly accelerated to a rate of 4.1 millimetres per year, possibly in response to an increase in the rate of global warming
Newscientist
May 8, 13:00
Slow breathing can calm the mind without any need for mindfulness
How important is thinking about your breath for calming yourself down? We now know that slow breathing is effective even without conscious involvement
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Slow breathing can calm the mind without any need for mindfulness. How important is thinking about your breath for calming yourself down? We now know that slow breathing is effective even without conscious involvement
TL;DR:
We now know that slow breathing is effective even without conscious involvement
Newscientist
May 8, 11:11
Neanderthal 'kneeprint' found next to mysterious stalagmite circle
An impression made in clay around 175,000 years ago could be a kneeprint left by one of the builders of a strange stalagmite circle found deep inside Bruniquel cave in south-west France
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“It’s just a hypothesis,” says Sophie Verheyden at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. While ancient human footprints are well known and well studied, ancient kneeprints have never been investigated before, as far as Verheyden is aware. There is no doubt that the cave impression is ancient, says Verheyden.
TL;DR:
An impression made in clay around 175,000 years ago could be a kneeprint left by one of the builders of a strange stalagmite circle found deep inside Bruniquel cave in south-west France
Newscientist
May 7, 17:00
PCOS postpones perimenopause and allows pregnancies at older ages
Only 3 per cent of those with polycystic ovary syndrome reach perimenopause by the age of 46, which may allow them to conceive when older
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is notorious for disrupting hormones and fertility , but it may have some surprising benefits after the age of 40. “Over the years, we’ve had so many women with PCOS telling us how they thought they would never be able to get pregnant without ART [assisted reproductive technology] and then they were so surprised because it happened in their 40s…
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Only 3 per cent of those with polycystic ovary syndrome reach perimenopause by the age of 46, which may allow them to conceive when older
New England Journal of Medicine
May 7, 00:16
CRISPR Therapy Cures First Sickle Cell Patient
Among patients with relapsed polymyalgia rheumatica, treatment with secukinumab plus a 24-week glucocorticoid taper resulted in a higher percentage of patients with remission than a glucocorticoid ta…
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Among patients with relapsed polymyalgia rheumatica, treatment with secukinumab plus a 24-week glucocorticoid taper resulted in a higher percentage of patients with remission than a glucocorticoid taper alone. In a phase 3 trial, obexelimab led to a lower risk of disease flares than placebo among patients with IgG4-related disease.
TL;DR:
The first FDA-approved CRISPR therapy achieved full remission in 97% of sickle cell disease patients.
Newscientist
May 6, 19:00
New Scientist recommends Attenborough documentary Making Life on Earth
Today, the style of nature documentary made popular by David Attenborough is so familiar I don’t even need to describe it to you. But it wasn’t always this way.
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Today, the style of nature documentary made popular by David Attenborough is so familiar I don’t even need to describe it to you. When Attenborough made his series, Life on Earth , which aired in 1979, nobody had ever seen anything like it.
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The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week
Newscientist
May 6, 19:00
David Attenborough is one of a kind, for better or worse
People often ask who might replace the nature broadcaster, who turns 100 this week. The truth is that he’s irreplaceable, but a wide range of voices are attempting to fill his shoes.
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David Attenborough is one of a kind, for better or worse. People often ask who might replace the nature broadcaster, who turns 100 this week. The truth is that he’s irreplaceable, but a wide range of voices are attempting to fill his shoes.
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People often ask who might replace the nature broadcaster, who turns 100 this week.
Newscientist
May 6, 17:00
Red-light therapy does have health benefits but not the ones you think
Red-light therapy promises to treat everything from acne and hair loss to depression and chronic pain. Many of these claims are overhyped, but evidence suggests it can have healing powers
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Red-light therapy does have health benefits but not the ones you think. Red-light therapy promises to treat everything from acne and hair loss to depression and chronic pain. Many of these claims are overhyped, but evidence suggests it can have healing powers
TL;DR:
Red-light therapy promises to treat everything from acne and hair loss to depression and chronic pain.
Newscientist
May 5, 17:00
The 50-year quest to create a quantum spin liquid may finally be over
Creating quantum entanglement inside a solid material is tricky in the lab – but crystals buried in the earth could be growing it naturally. Now one scientist says he has proof he’s found them
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The 50-year quest to create a quantum spin liquid may finally be over. Creating quantum entanglement inside a solid material is tricky in the lab – but crystals buried in the earth could be growing it naturally. Now one scientist says he has proof he’s found them
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Creating quantum entanglement inside a solid material is tricky in the lab – but crystals buried in the earth could be growing it naturally.
Foxnews
May 4, 17:13
Eiffel Tower-sized asteroid Apophis to pass closer to Earth than many satellites in 2029, NASA says
A potentially hazardous asteroid named Apophis will fly unusually close to Earth on April 13, 2029, but NASA says there is no risk of impact.
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A potentially hazardous asteroid named Apophis will fly unusually close to Earth on April 13, 2029, but NASA says there is no risk of impact.
Newscientist
May 4, 17:00
A lost ancient script reveals how writing as we know it really began
A long-overlooked writing system from 5000 years ago is still largely undeciphered, but could mark the moment humans first represented their speech with written words
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Early writing is a tale of two scripts. Egyptian hieroglyphs and Mesopotamian cuneiform both emerged independently about 5300 years ago. What we now know about the script’s story is so surprising and counterintuitive that we might need to rewrite the early history of writing.
TL;DR:
A long-overlooked writing system from 5000 years ago is still largely undeciphered, but could mark the moment humans first represented their speech with written words
Foxnews
May 1, 01:38
Artemis crew says they wanted to 'connect with humanity,' show what can be done when they put their mind to it
The Artemis II crew spoke with U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz after their historic 10-day lunar flyby, calling the record-breaking mission a glorious experience.
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Artemis crew says they wanted to 'connect with humanity,' show what can be done when they put their mind to it. The Artemis II crew spoke with U.S. Mike Waltz after their historic 10-day lunar flyby, calling the record-breaking mission a glorious experience.
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The Artemis II crew spoke with U.S.