Astronomers have discovered the farthest-ever tidal disruption event (TDE). A Sun-like star was ripped apart by the tidal forces of a supermassive black hole. This dramatic event was also the brightest ever TDE seen so far, by a fair bit. Its light came to us from 8.5 billion light-years away. Thanks to a chance alignment, the […]
Twitter Says It Is No Longer Stopping Any COVID-19 Misinformation
Twitter announced it has stopped enforcing its COVID-19 misinformation policy on November 23, not taking action on any tweets breaking their rules in this area. The platform previously held a staunch anti-misinformation stance against the spreading of false information due to the inherent health risks – but under new direction from Elon Musk, Twitter is […]
At-Home DNA Tests Just Aren’t That Reliable – And The Risks May Outweigh The Benefits
The field of genomic science is rapidly advancing, with commercial genetic tests becoming affordable and popular. Taking these tests is simple. The company sends you a collection kit. You send it back with a saliva sample or cheek swab. The sample is sequenced and analysed, and before long you have your results. Advertisement However, upon […]
Attachment Theory: What People Get Wrong About Pop Psychology’s Latest Trend For Explaining Relationships
Attachment theory is almost everywhere. In magazines and books, in the news, on social media and in our conversations with each other. Originally rooted in developmental psychology, the theory explains how we form and maintain close relationships in order to survive and thrive in the environment we are born into. It was quickly picked up […]
Fatherhood Changes Men’s Brains, According To Before-And-After MRI Scans
The time fathers devote to child care every week has tripled over the past 50 years in the United States. The increase in fathers’ involvement in child rearing is even steeper in countries that have expanded paid paternity leave or created incentives for fathers to take leave, such as Germany, Spain, Sweden and Iceland. And […]
IFLScience Meets: Anil Seth, Renowned Neuroscientist And Consciousness Researcher
Anil Seth is a neuroscientist, author, and public speaker who has been conducting research into the brain basis of consciousness for more than 20 years. He is a Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex and Founding Co-Director of the Sussex Centre for Consciousness Science. He is also Co-Director of the […]
You Probably Shouldn’t Tape Your Mouth Shut While You Sleep
Spend too long on TikTok and you might come across a new trend; people extolling the virtues of taping your mouth shut before you go to bed. On top of the benefits of not being able to talk, proponents say that taping your mouth shut can promote everything from better sleep to weight loss. Though […]
Building Rights For Untouched “Paradise” In Indonesia To Be Sold Off
The development rights for an Indonesian archipelago will be sold to the highest bidder in an auction in a few weeks. Some conservationists are not happy about the sale, and worry it could open up the “pristine” area to more environmental dangers. The auction for development rights in Widi Reserve is set to kick off […]
Why The Bones Of Thousands Of People Adorn Sedlec Ossuary
From the outside, the Cemetery Church of All Saints in Czechia looks like a quaint but unassuming church perched on top of a graveyard. But beneath this Gothic building, you’ll find the final resting place of some 40,000 to 70,000 people whose bones are artistically exhibited in a bodacious display. Scan your eyes across this […]
Humerus Bone Reveals Oldest Known Remains Of Domesticated Dogs In Europe
An ancient humerus recovered from Erralla Cave in the Basque Country, Spain, is thought to be the earliest domesticated dog remains ever found in Europe. Dating back to around 17,410 and 17,096 years ago, it topples the previous title holder remains that were found in Germany, and estimated to be nearer 15,114 to 14,237 years […]
IFLScience Meets: Professor Hannah Fry On “The Secret Genius Of Modern Life”
In BBC Two’s new series, The Secret Genius Of Modern Life, mathematician Professor Hannah Fry uncovers the innovative technology and inventions hiding inside seemingly mundane things. From the food delivery apps created using tech designed for nuclear missiles, to the way in which X-rated websites revolutionized the way we pay for things online, the series […]
Adhering To The Five Precepts Of Buddhism May Lower Risk Of Depression
People who observe the five precepts of Buddhism may be more resilient to stress and less likely to experience depression, according to the results of a new study. An ethical code of conduct designed to banish suffering and help followers achieve enlightenment, the five precepts may promote inner calm and equanimity, which the researchers say […]
Your Perception Of Time Really Does Slow Down When You Are On A Crowded Train
Your perception of time slows down when you are on a crowded train, a novel study using virtual reality (VR) has found. A team of psychologists from Cornell University knew from previous studies that used visual stimuli or geometric shapes that experiencing social crowding could cause people’s sense of time to slow down. However, they […]
Your Perception Of Time Really Does Slow Down When You Are On A Crowded Train
Your perception of time slows down when you are on a crowded train, a novel study using virtual reality (VR) has found. A team of psychologists from Cornell University knew from previous studies that used visual stimuli or geometric shapes that experiencing social crowding could cause people’s sense of time to slow down. However, they […]
Go Green For Science: How Companies Are Reducing Their Carbon Footprint
Now more than ever, it seems like the world is continuously changing. In positive news, this year has seen humpback whales leaping off Australia’s threatened species list, the first fully complete human genome has been published, and JWST has dazzled the world with extraordinary images of our universe. Despite these advances, 2022 has also been […]
Walking Backwards Has A Surprising Number Of Health Benefits
Walking doesn’t require any special equipment or gym memberships, and best of all, it’s completely free. For most of us, walking is something we do automatically. It doesn’t require conscious effort, so many of us fail to remember the benefits of walking for health. But what happens if we stop walking on auto-pilot and start […]
Meet Barbara, The Pregnant T. Rex With A Football Injury
This stunningly preserved fossilized skeleton is “Barbara”, a new Tyrannosaurus rex specimen about to go on display at Auckland Museum in New Zealand. The palaeontologists analyzing the 66-million-year-old remains made a discovery that makes this T. rex especially rare – when she died, Barbara was probably pregnant. Computed tomography scanning of one of the recovered bones […]
New Alzheimer’s Drug Slows Decline, But Its Trial Is Linked To Deaths
The experimental drug lecanemab has been shown to slow cognitive decline in people with early Alzheimer’s disease. While the long-awaited trial has been heralded as a “historic moment for dementia research”, the death of some participants in the research has sparked concerns about the risk for some people. Lecanemab is a monoclonal antibody that works […]
This Cyber Monday Enjoy Super Savings On Everything You Need For Your Computer
You’ve been waiting all year for this day, and it has finally arrived—Cyber Monday. You know that you will get the very best deals around, and you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your home. You’ve been looking for a complete overhaul of your computer software and apps, and we don’t blame you. […]
The Internet Is Confused After Images Show World Cup Balls Being Charged Up
It’s not a common sight to see, but you may have spotted a viral image around the internet of the World Cup footballs being charged – not pumped up, but charged. Huddled around like dead phones at a festival, the balls are all plugged in to ensure the sensors within have enough battery for the […]
