World’s Oldest Tortoise Still Doing His Thing Reptile Style
At 190 years old, Jonathan the "sexually active" tortoise has been declared the oldest living tortoise to ever live.
Science
Sorry Everybody, but Alcohol “Directly Causes” Cancer
Alcohol consumption directly causes a number of types of cancer regardless of other lifestyle choices, according to a new genetic study.
Ball Lightning First Described by 12th Century Monk
A text from a 12th-century English monk known for his interest in weather seems to be the first written account of ball lightning.
Growing This Plant in Your Garden Can Act as an Alternative Fertilizer
Looking at chemical fertilizer alternatives, a new study suggests black-eyed peas could be planted as an alternative.
Frogs Regrow Lost Legs After Innovative New 24-Hour Treatment
Scientists say they have helped African clawed frogs regrow lost legs, using a one-day treatment that kicks off a many-month regrowth process. If it can be refined and ultimately applied to other animals, including humans, this relatively simple treatment offers...
The Skyrora Sees Success with Test of Its Third Stage “Space Tug” Maneuvering Platform
Scottish space company Skyrora has successfully test-fired its third stage “space tug” maneuvering vehicle at its engine development complex in Fife, Scotland.
Negative Messaging is More Powerful, Even When it Comes to Food
Researchers studying the role labeling plays in the perception of food taste and quality have that found negative messaging is more influential than positive messaging, the latter having a measurable, but much smaller effect. According to new research published in the...
Social Media is Impacting Young People’s Mental Health, New Research Shows
A new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz shows just how problematic social media can be, especially in terms of the impact it can have on children's mental health.
The Secret Life of Drugs: A Much Awaited Tell-All from the Species in Your Feces
Are we flushing away important health information with every bowel movement?
Are we flushing away important health information with every bowel movement?
A group of scientists studying drugs thinks important health information can be found in what we flush down the toilet every day.
Are Squids and Octopuses Actually Space Aliens?
Squids, octopuses and other cephalopods may be organisms from outer space, according to a 2018 scientific paper.
Which Country is the Best Place to Die? These Researchers Wanted to Find Out.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way many of us look at the world, and for some, that even includes how we look at death and dying. Therefore, as the influx of coronavirus cases increase, maybe it isn’t surprising that...
The Confessions of a High-Functioning Psychopath
You've probably met many psychopaths in your lifetime, and didn't know it. Welcome to the world of the high-functioning psychopath.
Don’t Worry… Be Healthy? New Studies Link Worrying to Cardiovascular Health
Middle-aged men who worry more than their peers are at greater risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiometabolic-related health issues, according to new research.
You Can’t Outsmart Your Gut
It’s no surprise that Americans have a problem with sugar. The average American consumes more than the recommended limit of 9.5 teaspoons of added sugar a day. In order to get around the unhealthy benefits of sugar, many individuals have...
Action Video Games can Boost Your Child’s Learning
As technology becomes more accessible to younger children, the value of educational video games increases. These video games vary in genre and age range, allowing parents to customize their child’s playtime. Many of these games claim to be educational, but...
Does the Time of Day for Working Out Matter?
From helping to reduce anxiety, boosting sleep to helping with weight management, the pros of physical activity outweigh the chore of doing it. Knowing the best time to exercise for maximum benefits can be essential for those looking to start...
How Binge Watching Too Much TV Can Kill You
Watching television for more than four hours a day increases the likelihood of fatal blood clots by more than 35%, compared to watching for less than 2.5 hours a day, a new study says. Also, being more physically active overall...
New Research Says Face Masks Can Make You Appear More Attractive
The unwritten rules for beauty and style have changed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a nice shirt and sweatpants being the uniform of zoom meetings and fewer people going out in public, many have decided there’s no...
Brains “Tune” to Unfamiliar Voices During Sleep
New research reveals how the brain balances the need to sleep with the need to wake up based on external sensory information.
Could You Grow Your Own Liver from Your Spleen? Mice Did.
With at least two million people dying each year from liver diseases, finding solutions is critical. Many scientists are turning to biotechnology, exploring protein manipulation and gene editing to try and restore damaged liver cells or hepatocytes. Now, one team of...
Research Finds That Speed Learning is Possible, But Only Up to a Point
As society progresses at an ever-increasing pace, most individuals hope to learn at a similar rate. Learning, or comprehension, varies from person to person. While speed-readers and double-speed listeners seem to process information faster, are these people actually learning? A...
Middle Aged Men Most Likely to Die from Sex
According to a recent study, middle aged men are more likely to die from a sudden cardiac event shortly after (or even during) sexual intercourse than women of the same age or younger individuals of either gender. That same study...
Breakthrough Metamaterial Makes its Own Decisions
Inspired by the Venus flytrap, this metamaterial moves without human intervention
Inspired by the Venus flytrap, this metamaterial moves without human intervention
A new metamaterial that senses its environment is able to use that information to make changes to its shape or even color. Inspired by natural systems that work similarly and without human intervention, this new material could be a boon...
“Gates of Hell” to Finally be Extinguished
A massive crater known as the “Gates of Hell” that has been burning in the former Soviet republic of Turkmenistan’s desert for over 50 years is finally going to be extinguished. This effort is the latest attempt to squelch the...
Why Does Being Fat Increase Your Risk of Cancer?
Previous research has shown a link between cancer and obesity, and now a Norwegian research team says they think they know why. Plus, those same researchers say, this new ability to understand why obesity can raise your risk of cancer,...
Dogs can Tell the Difference Between Languages
After recently reports that dogs can distinguish as many as 89 different words, a completely different research team has learned that dogs can tell the difference between various human languages. The same research determined that dogs can also differentiate between...
Can Science Help Performers Who ‘Choke’ Under Pressure?
Scientists looking into the phenomenon of reduced performance under pressure say they have zeroed in on its underlying mechanisms. And, the same researchers say, there may be techniques to help everyone from athletes to concert pianists do their best work...
These Deep-Sea Organisms Make Oxygen without Sunlight
Tiny organisms living deep in the world’s oceans have stunned scientists, who now say some of these unusual creatures are making their own oxygen. And unlike extremophiles that inhabit niche environments, the researchers behind the groundbreaking discovery say that these...
Extreme Meditation Supercharges Human Immune System
A type of extreme meditation known as Inner Engineering has been shown to dramatically increase the body’s natural immune system. The finding also showed success without any drugs or additional medical interventions, offering hope to people fighting a wide range...
Previously Extinct Fish Successfully Brought Back to Life
A species of fish that previously became extinct in the wild has been successfully bred and reintroduced back into its native habitat. Known as the tequila splitfin, or “zoogoneticus tequila” in scientific terms, the western Mexican fish previously played a...
Why Do Vision Problems Plague Astronauts in Zero Gravity?
Researchers hoping to understand how living in space negatively affects human vision have zeroed in on blood flow to the brain as its potential cause. Such issues have plagued the world’s first space travelers, who have overwhelmingly experienced diminished eyesight...
Chinese Citizens Conflate Climate Change with Air Pollution
A New Study Surveys over 40 million people
A New Study Surveys over 40 million people
With the new year comes scary expectations of future climate change events. Recent occurrences, like the winter wildfires in Colorado, have shown, climate change is far from going away. Background It’s important to understand how people perceive climate change in...
Cocaine Addicted Mice Use Molecular Switch to Kick Habit
Cocaine addicted mice displayed significantly reduced reactions to the drug when researchers shrunk the amount of a certain molecular switch involved in the neurotransmission of brain signals. Specifically, the mice were less receptive to the intoxicating effects of the drug,...
Is Terraforming Mars & Venus Actually Possible?
Terraforming Mars and even Venus may be possible, says a four-decade veteran of NASA. In fact, the former director of the agency’s planetary science division says he is working on just such a plan that would employ a giant magnetic...
Psilocybin is Safe in Therapeutically Viable Doses
Researchers have shown that psilocybin is safe in doses of either 10mg or 25 mg, with no adverse effects to short-term or long-term health. The same study also affirmed the safety of scaling the administration of psilocybin to a large...
Chinese Fusion Reactor Sets New Record of 1,056 Seconds
China’s EAST Tokamak fusion reactor has set a new world’s record by maintaining its nuclear fusion reaction for a total of 1,056 seconds. This milestone smashes the previous record set in May of 2021, when the same team saw their...
Virtual Reality Makes Us Egotistical, and Science Demands Humility
New scientific revolutions in our understanding of reality are not as flattering to our ego as their virtual versions.
New scientific revolutions in our understanding of reality are not as flattering to our ego as their virtual versions.
Virtual reality, tailored to match our wishful thinking, sways us away from the humility of gaining new scientific knowledge.
Extreme Life Under Antarctic Ice Shelf Shocks Researchers
An unexpected oasis of extreme marine life has been discovered living and flourishing under the Antarctic Ice Shelf. Although researchers had hoped to find some life in this cold, stygian environment, the variety and sheer volume of these extreme environment...
Why Did SpaceX Just Launch Muscle Cells into Space?
SpaceX just launched a fresh set of supplies to the International Space Station (ISS), including a batch of custom-made human muscle cells. Once aboard the ISS, the unusual package and the researchers behind its contents hope the accelerated effects of...
Shrodinger’s Tardigrade: Did We Actually Quantum Entangle a Living Organism?
We treat these little buggers horribly...
We treat these little buggers horribly...
Did scientists quantum entangle a tardigrade? If anything, they proved that humanity will never stop abusing these small and cute "water bears."
Nikola Tesla Probably Didn’t Invent a Death Ray, But The FBI Still Took All His Stuff
Nikola Tesla did some pretty weird stuff. And while he probably didn't create a death ray, the FBI still raided his hotel room after he died.
New ESA Video Shows James Webb Nearing Launch
A new video from the European Space Agency (ESA) reveals the final steps currently being taken to prepare the James Webb Telescope for it planned December 24th launch. Although the launch has been delayed a number of times already, the...
Is Live Music Actually the Best Medicine?
Sorry laughter, but music may actually be the best medicine. In fact, the researchers behind the study making that bold pronouncement say music not only helped patient mood and recovery, but also aided the patient’s families as well as their...
Step Aside Scarecrows, Here Come the ‘Scarefish’
Australian researchers have designed a robot “scarefish” that mimics the natural predator of invasive Mosquito fish species, successfully scaring them off. Plus, the research team behind the robotic fish says, its newest invention not only chased away the intended target...
Are Rocket Scientists & Brain Surgeons Really Smarter?
A new study seems to disprove the age old notion that folks in certain professions are smarter than the average public, particularly rocket scientists and brain surgeons. And given the research team’s unexpected results, we may have to rethink some...
Why is This Cancer Treatment Giving People Night Vision?
A type of cancer treatment called photodynamic therapy is giving recipients superhuman night vision. While temporary, the researchers looking into the actual mechanisms behind the unexpected side effect believe their findings may help those suffering from an array of vision...
Is Your Cat Really Just a Psychopath?
Your cat is most definitely a psychopath. At least, that’s what researchers behind a new study have determined. Plus, those same researchers have developed a questionnaire that can help you determine just how psychopathic your own cat is. BACKGROUND: PSYCHOPATHIC...
Scientists Transform Physical Materials Using Light
Unlike Previous Technologies, New Method Leaves Zero Heat Damage
Unlike Previous Technologies, New Method Leaves Zero Heat Damage
A team of researchers from the California Institute of Technology (CalTech) have reported the ability to transform physical materials using only the power of light. Unlike previous, more limited methods, this new approach dramatically reduces the absorption of waste heat,...
Humans Enter Creative Sweet Spot Right Before Sleep
New research has shown that the human mind seems to enter into a creative “sweet spot” right before passing into deep sleep. Previous studies had found possible connections between deeper forms of sleep and mental well-being, but this latest effort...
Study Says “Spiritual” Psychedelics May Aid Mental Health
A new study has found a positive relationship between the use of psychedelics and improved mental health. Specifically, the study found that psychedelics can cause increased feelings of spirituality, and that these feelings lead to better emotional regulation, and therefore...