The concept of mass extinctions is not something new to the scientific community or the general public. It has been a topic of interest for decades. The “Big Five” extinction events, as identified by Jack Sepkoski and David Raup in 1982, have left a lasting impact on Earth’s ecosystems. These events include the end-Ordovician, Late
The bubonic plague, a disease associated with the medieval times, may seem like a thing of the past. However, the bacterium responsible for the illness, Yersinia pestis, continues to pose a threat to human health. Despite advancements in modern medicine, cases of the bubonic plague still occur worldwide, with recent reports of infections even in
Upon analyzing the fragments brought back from the Bennu asteroid, NASA scientists have discovered intriguing clues about its origins. The phosphate crust detected on Bennu suggests that the material it contains originated from an ancient ocean world. This phosphate mineral, rich in calcium and magnesium, has never been observed on meteorites before. Its chemistry bears
Research has shown that obesity can have a significant impact on mitochondria, the cellular powerhouses responsible for generating energy. When individuals are obese, their mitochondria tend to fragment into smaller pieces, which reduces their ability to burn fat effectively. This impairment of mitochondria function can have far-reaching effects on overall health, contributing to the development
In a surprising turn of events, Elon Musk’s brain implant company Neuralink has made a significant move by changing its legal corporate home from Delaware to Nevada. This decision came after a Delaware judge invalidated Musk’s $55.8 billion pay package as the CEO of Tesla. As per state records, Neuralink, which is physically headquartered in
The field of X-ray astronomy has provided us with incredible insights into the most energetic and violent events in the cosmos. Astronomers have been able to uncover a multitude of phenomena, such as bright quasars, supernova explosions, streams of hot gas between galaxies, and hot, young stars. Recently, the eROSITA consortium at the Max Planck
The process of fertilization, where a sperm cell fuses with an egg cell, is a complex and intricate phenomenon that involves a series of molecular interactions. While the basic understanding of this process is well-known, the details of how exactly the sperm and egg recognize each other and merge their membranes together have not been
In recent years, quantum physicists and engineers have been striving to develop innovative quantum communication systems that have the potential to revolutionize the field of communication. The University of Chicago researchers have made significant progress in this realm by introducing a new quantum communication testbed with remote superconducting nodes. Their groundbreaking research, published in Physical
In the quest for sustainable hydrogen production, researchers have been exploring the potential of photoelectrochemical (PEC) systems that harness solar energy or other renewable sources. While previous attempts have been met with challenges related to efficiency, stability, and scalability, a team of researchers from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has recently made
Living and working on the Moon presents a myriad of challenges that must be overcome in order to ensure the success and safety of lunar explorers. One of the most critical factors in sustaining life on the Moon is the availability of reliable and clean power sources. While solar power can provide a dependable source
An abrupt shutdown of Atlantic Ocean currents that could put large parts of Europe in a deep freeze is looking a bit more likely and closer than before as a new complex computer simulation finds a “cliff-like” tipping point looming in the future. A long-worried nightmare scenario, triggered by Greenland’s ice sheet melting from global
Excitons with non-zero momentum have the ability to condense and form charge density waves (CDW), leading to the emergence of excitonic insulators in materials. A recent study conducted by researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and other institutes delved into the possibility of a metal-insulator transition in the atomically thin semi-metallic HfTe2. Their findings, published
In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Physics, Cornell quantum researchers have identified the elusive Bragg glass phase through the use of advanced machine learning data analysis tools and large volumes of X-ray data. This discovery marks a significant milestone in the field of quantum physics, resolving a long-standing debate about the existence of the
Indoor air quality is a major concern, with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) being a significant source of pollution. These compounds, such as formaldehyde, can cause a range of health issues, from watery eyes to difficulty breathing and even certain cancers. However, current sensors lack the sensitivity to detect VOCs at low concentrations, making it difficult
In a groundbreaking discovery by RIKEN chemists, an elusive structure involving two water molecules, which had long been predicted but never observed, has finally been isolated. This discovery has the potential to have wide-ranging implications in various fields such as astrochemistry and the corrosion of metals. The research paper detailing this discovery has been published