Observations by the JWST have revealed exciting hints of an Earth-like atmosphere on a planet orbiting a relatively nearby star. The planet is likely to be cooler than Earth, but still warmer than Mars and possibly well-suited to life. Advertisement The planet LHS 1140b has been causing excitement ever since it was discovered in 2017, […]
We Now Know How Much Faster Time Ticks By On The Moon
A new study has precisely calculated how fast time on the Moon goes compared to time on Earth, and the Solar System’s barycenter. Advertisement Time passes at different rates for different observers, depending on their relative speeds and their proximity to (and strength of) nearby gravitational fields. This doesn’t normally figure into your everyday calculations. […]
It’s That Time Of Year Again: Do I Have Hay Fever Or COVID-19?
As much as we all might wish otherwise, COVID-19 just doesn’t want to go away. It keeps changing to survive and with that change, adds to the list of possible symptoms. Trouble is, some of those symptoms might be mistaken for something else doing the rounds at the moment – hay fever. So how can […]
This Is What It Looks Like To Fly Inside Hurricane Beryl
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has flown a plane into a hurricane to learn about these tropical storms. Advertisement NOAA regularly makes flights inside hurricanes to monitor them and make predictions about their progress. Using two aircraft – nicknamed “Kermit” and “Miss Piggy” – the hurricane specialists take data from inside the eye […]
What’s The Strongest Animal In The World?
Brains may be the secret to humankind’s success as a species, but in the animal world there’s nothing sexier than brute force. In many cases, only the mightiest specimens ever get the chance to mate, making brawn an essential characteristic. But which creatures are stronger than the proverbial ox? Advertisement The biggest of brutes From […]
Despite How It Looks, This Gelatinous Blob Could Make Lab-Grown Meat Taste Like The Real Thing
A new kind of scaffold for lab-grown meat might be able to give the cultured proteins the taste of real meat, according to new research out of South Korea. Advertisement Despite much fanfare, it’s fair to say that cultured meat – that is, animal products that were grown in a lab rather than on a […]
Do Goldfish Really Have A Three-Second Memory?
Despite their popularity, public knowledge of the brainy capabilities of goldfish (Carassius auratus) is limited. They are among the most popular freshwater aquarium fish species, and yet many people are unaware of their surprisingly sharp memories. So, if you think goldfish are just swimming around mindlessly, think again! Advertisement The common misconception is that goldfish […]
World-First mRNA Vaccine Could Topple Number One Killer Of Baby Asian Elephants
A deadly disease for baby Asian elephants is the target for an mRNA vaccine that has been administered to an elephant for the first time. Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is the number one killer for Asian elephant calves living under managed care in North America and Europe, and is a significant threat for free-ranging populations. […]
WHO Says Talc Is “Probably Carcinogenic” – Here’s What That Means
Scientists from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have concluded that talc, a mineral that’s used in a whole bunch of frequently used products, is “probably carcinogenic”. Advertisement “Carcinogenic” is a concerning word on the face of it – after all, it means the potential to cause cancer. But […]
Toxic Metals Like Lead And Arsenic Found In Tampons In First-Of-Its-Kind Study
A first-of-its-kind study has revealed that tampons contain toxic metals, including arsenic and lead. The “concerning” finding could mean that potentially millions of people are at risk of adverse health effects. Advertisement According to the study, between 52 and 86 percent of people in the US who menstruate use tampons, generally for hours at a […]
When Did “American English” Emerge?
Along with their attitude toward tipping waiters, variations in language are one of the biggest differences between Americans and Brits. Despite their overwhelming similarities, they still can’t agree on how to spell colour/color – and let’s not even begin to discuss whether the world’s most popular sport is called football or soccer. So, when did […]
What’s The Most Common Eye Color Around The World?
Once upon a time, all humans on Earth had brown eyes until a single person had a genetic mutation affecting the OCA2 gene, perhaps as recently as 6,000 to 10,000 years ago. The chance mutation impacted the production of melanin pigment in the iris, giving rise to lighter shades of eyes, from amber and hazel to […]
Rights Of River Running Through Ecuador’s Capital Violated By Pollution, Court Rules
The rights of the Machángara River in Ecuador have been violated and measures to decontaminate it must be implemented right away, a court has ruled, after an action was filed in the hope of safeguarding the river and its sources against pollution. The river runs through the Metropolitan District of Quito, the country’s capital. Advertisement […]
Second Ever Vampire Squid Species Discovered In South China Sea
Creatures of the deep dark ocean come in all shapes and sizes, but until now only one species of vampire squid has been known to be cruising along down there. However, Vampyroteuthis infernalis – which was discovered in 1903 – has now been joined by a second member of the genus, called Vampyroteuthis pseudoinfernalis, collected […]
Sexting Between Teenagers May Not Lead To Poorer Mental Health Or Antisocial Conduct
Sexting has previously been linked to an increase in mental health problems for teenagers, but a new study challenges this idea. It argues that efforts to reduce sexting among adolescents may not help prevent mental health issues after all. Advertisement Anyone who has gone through their teenage years will likely remember how formative and complex […]
The World’s Oldest Crystals Contain Traces Of Even Older Sediments
Within the oldest crystals in the world, collected from Western Australia’s Jack Hills, lie the remnants of even older rocks – some of which were reprocessed through magma into the surviving crystals. With the help of machine learning, geologists have revealed that a third of these primeval rocks were sedimentary. This means that more than […]
Secrets Of Ancient Egyptian Crocodile Cult Revealed By Mummified Croc
Life was a wild ride for crocodiles in Ancient Egypt. As the Nile’s most iconic predator, the scaly beasts were the focus of a bizarre cult that saw them worshiped, spoiled rotten, and sacrificed, although it has taken thousands of years for researchers to figure out how the revered reptiles were lured from their natural […]
Planet Smelling Of Rotten Eggs Is A Step Towards Scenting Fresher Air
The JWST has detected the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the atmosphere of the planet HD 189733b, a nearby “hot Jupiter”. Already off the colonization list for being twice as hot as Venus and presumably having no solid surface to land on, HD 189733b can now add the smell of rotten eggs to its […]
Rare Footage Reveals The Courtship Dance Of Pygmy Blue Whales For The First Time
Remarkable rare footage has been captured of pygmy blue whales in the waters of Timor-Leste, revealing for the first time what it looks like when they try to win a mate – and when they empty their bowels. It comes following a decade-long citizen science project in the region that’s famous for its whale sightings. […]
How Do You Get Rid Of Skunk Smell? And Why Does It Smell So Bad?
You do not want to end up on the business end of a skunk. These black and white animals look incredibly cute on the surface, but with a flick of the tail, they can unleash an almighty stench that lingers for days if you don’t know how to get it off. Advertisement As a defense […]
