Researchers identified a woman who does not feel any pain: Unravelling her DNA details could help millions worldwide
Jo Cameron, a 75-year-old Scottish woman, has lived her entire life without experiencing significant pain due to a rare condition called congenital analgesia. Scientists at University College London (UCL) are studying her genes to gain insights into pain pathways and potentially develop treatments for chronic pain.
Read full storyResearchers witnessed an instance of violent 'spaghettification' of a star by a black hole
Scientists have discovered evidence of spaghettification, the violent process of tearing a star apart by a black hole, in a dying star located over 700 million light-years away. The event, AT2019dsg, was detected in April 2019 and emitted a brilliant flare of light across various wavelengths, including X-ray, ultraviolet, optical, and radio.
Read full storyStudy: Human activities are causing the atmospheric layer to shrink
A new study reveals that the stratosphere, one of the layers of the Earth's atmosphere, has shrunk by 400 meters (1,312 feet) since 1980, indicating the significant impact of human activities on our planet. This is the first global-scale examination of the thinning of the stratosphere, with previous reports only documenting local decreases. The findings are alarming, highlighting that we are disturbing the atmosphere up to 60 kilometres (37 miles) above the surface of the Earth.
Read full storyResearchers have found that the maximum surface temperature is not present in the Death Valley
Using high-resolution satellite data, researchers have identified the Lut Desert in Iran and the Sonoran Desert in North America as having Earth's most extreme land surface temperatures. While Death Valley in California is known for its hot air temperatures, the Lut Desert and the Sonoran Desert experience even higher surface temperatures.
Read full storyStudy: Single dose of mushroom helps regrow damaged brain cells due to depression
Psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, has shown promise as an effective antidepressant. A recent trial demonstrated its comparable effectiveness to commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs. However, the specific effects of psilocybin on the brain and their duration remain unclear.
Read full storyMexican involuntarily buried the ancient tunnel discovered in the Old Aztec Capital
Archaeologists in Mexico reburied an ancient tunnel that was part of the Albarradón de Ecatepec flood-control system near Mexico City. The Albarradón de Ecatepec was built centuries ago to protect the capital of the Aztec Empire, Tenochtitlan, from rising waters. Spanish conquistadors initially failed to appreciate the indigenous infrastructure and destroyed many pre-Hispanic constructions. However, after repeated floods in early colonial Mexico City, similar flood-control systems, including the Albarradón de Ecatepec, were built or repaired in the 1600s.
Read full storyStudy: An unknown operation deep inside Earth is consuming more carbon than previously estimated
In a recent study published in February 2023, researchers have discovered that Earth absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than previously believed, challenging existing equations and climate change projections. The updated findings indicate that around one-third of the carbon that enters Earth's interior remains stored there for the long term, contrary to the previous assumption that most of it reappeared through volcanic eruptions.
Read full storyStudy: High concentrations of 'forever chemicals' are being released by the Arctic
A new study reveals that the accelerating melting of Arctic ice is causing increased leakage of polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as 'forever chemicals,' into the environment. PFAS are not native to the Arctic but are present due to their use in various human-made products. When released into the atmosphere, they become trapped in Arctic ice floes. The study found that the concentrations of PFAS in bulk sea ice are closely linked to the salinity of the water. This means that higher salinity leads to higher concentrations of these persistent chemicals.
Read full storyStudy: Earth's 'vital signs' do not appear good at all, instead are rapidly deteriorating
A new report by a group of scientists highlights the devastating state of the planet due to the climate crisis. The report, published in the journal BioScience, includes the names of 14,000 scientists and 1,990 jurisdictions in 34 countries. It warns that critical parts of the Earth system, such as the West Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, warm-water coral reefs, and the Amazon rainforest, are approaching or have already crossed tipping points. The researchers emphasize the need for regular updates on the climate emergency in a concise and accessible manner.
Read full storyResearchers detect a unique new structure in the Milky Way: But they don't know what it is
The discovery of a newly identified structure in the Milky Way called the Cattail has intrigued astronomers. This structure is a long curl of gas, and its size and origin remain a mystery. It could be part of an unmapped galactic spiral arm or the largest gas filament ever discovered in our galaxy.
Read full storyStudy: Application of 'Green Steel' technology will be happening sooner than previously estimated
The world's first carbon-free steel, "green steel, was recently delivered to AB Volvo in Sweden, marking a significant milestone in the steel industry. This development is part of the HYBRIT project (Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology), a joint venture between Swedish steelmaker SSAB, state-owned utility Vattenfall, and government-owned mining company LKAB. The project aims to produce green steel using renewable hydrogen at a pilot plant in Luleå, Sweden.
Read full storyResearchers finally unveil the mystery behind Great Canyon's missing rocks that go back a billion years
The enigmatic geological phenomenon known as the 'Great Unconformity' at the Grand Canyon has puzzled scientists for years. This gap of over a billion years in the rock layers, where no deposition occurred, remains a geological mystery. Geologist John Wesley Powell first observed this peculiar gap during his exploration of the Colorado River in 1869. The rocks adjacent to the unconformity are dated to be 1.4-1.8 billion years old, while those above are only 520 million years old. This stark contrast raises the question of what happened to the missing rock layers.
Read full storyResearchers document the hunting prowess of tortoise for the first time
Researchers have captured groundbreaking footage of a giant tortoise engaging in slow and deliberate hunting behaviour. The encounter, documented on Frégate Island in Seychelles, reveals a female giant tortoise pursuing a flightless lesser noddy tern chick. This observation marks the first documented evidence of a tortoise intentionally attacking and consuming another animal. The hunt lasted seven minutes, during which the tortoise even pursued the chick along the top of a log. The video, recorded by Anna Zora, shows the tortoise approaching the bird with purposeful intent, a behaviour distinctly different from its typical slow demeanour.
Read full storyStudy: Several strange radio signals spotted from the cosmic sources close to our galaxy
The Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU) Early Science Project, utilizing the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope, has made remarkable discoveries by observing a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way called the Large Magellanic Cloud. This powerful telescope has detected thousands of previously unknown radio sources, including nearby stars, supernovae, and distant galaxies. These findings could provide valuable insights into these objects' inner workings and evolution.
Read full storyStudy: More Americans increasingly believe in the Science of Evolution
Following stagnancy, public acceptance of biological evolution in the United States has significantly increased in the past decade. Surveys conducted between 1985 and 2010 showed that around 40 per cent of US adults agreed that humans developed from earlier animal species. However, by 2016, the percentage had risen to 54 per cent, indicating a majority acceptance.
Read full storyResearchers spot mysterious radio signals near the galactic centre
A newly discovered radio signal source near the galaxy's centre, ASKAP J173608.2-321635, has puzzled astronomers due to its unique properties. The source was found using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP), a highly sensitive radio telescope designed to explore the depths of the radio Universe. ASKAP has previously made discoveries such as Odd Radio Circles and unidentified galaxies.
Read full storyResearchers warn about the rapidly depleting world coal source
A recent study conducted by researchers at University College London reveals that the vast majority of the world's fossil fuel reserves must remain unextracted if there is any hope of achieving global climate goals. The study suggests that nations heavily dependent on coal, such as Indonesia and Australia, must abandon 95 per cent of their natural coal deposits by 2050.
Read full storyResearchers uncover unexpected facts about our ancestors by studying Viking DNA
New research based on a genetic analysis of over 400 Viking skeletons challenges the traditional image of Vikings as solely Scandinavian and predominantly fair-haired. The study, led by geneticist Eske Willerslev and his team, analysed the remains of Vikings from various European regions, including Scandinavia, the British Isles, Ireland, Iceland, Greenland, and Russia. The DNA sequencing revealed that Vikings had diverse genetic influences from Asia, Southern Europe, and the British Isles before and during the Viking Age (793-1066 CE).
Read full storyOnly 1 in 10 people are left-handed: Here is why
The prevalence of left-handedness is a topic that has intrigued scientists for over a century. While no definitive explanation has been found, several hypotheses point to a genetic influence. The global percentage of left-handed individuals remains consistent, suggesting a genetic basis for handedness.
Read full storyResearchers develop material that converts salty water into drinkable water within seconds
Scientists in Australia have developed a promising innovation using metal-organic framework compounds (MOFs) and sunlight to purify water in just 30 minutes, outperforming existing desalination techniques. The process is cost-effective, stable, and reusable and produces water that meets World Health Organization standards.
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