What are the “magic numbers” in nuclear physics, and why are they so powerful?
Some atoms are stable, while others appear to fall apart. Lead-208 will probably last forever, but the synthetic isotope Technetium-99 will be present for just a few hours. The difference lies in the structure of the nuclei of atoms, where a certain “magic number” of nuclear particles creates isotopes that are particularly resistant to radioactive […]
Even a short exposure to air pollution can push the placenta into an inflammatory state, lab studies suggest
Even a brief exposure to air pollution can alter the structure of the placenta and push organs into inflammatory states, recent laboratory studies have found. Scientists already knew that particles found in air pollution would reach the placenta and be taken up by immune cells there. “There is no doubt that particles accumulate in the […]
Giant flightless birds live all over the world. Now we know how they got there – and it has something to do with the “unusual” ancestors
Ostriches, emus, rheas and other large, flightless birds are located on six lands separated from the sea, but the way in which such a distant apart location was reached without the ability to fly remains a permanent mystery. One idea was that the ancestors of this group of birds known as the Paleognaths had just […]
The oldest known dome-headed dinosaur has been discovered to protrude from a cliff in the Gobi desert in Mongolia
Paleontologists have discovered the oldest and most complete dome-headed dinosaur fossil ever in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia. Fossils 108-115 million years ago pushed back the timeline of the appearance of dome-headed dinosaurs, or Pakisephalosaurus, around 15 million years later. New fossils can also reveal details about the evolution and development of these strange round skulls. […]
Scientists invent a new sunscreen made from pollen
Sunscreens made from pollen can protect beach fans from sunburn while minimizing harm to coral reefs, new research finds. Researchers have discovered that gels made from pollen from camellia flowers (Camellia sinensis) block ultraviolet (UV) light and existing commercial sunscreens, such as those made with oxybenzone and octino acid salts. However, unlike these traditional options, […]
“The sun is slowly awakening”: NASA warns that there may be more extreme space weather over the next decades
NASA scientists warn that the sun may be “waking up” from a short period of relative inactivity that contradicts past assumptions about our home star. If true, this could mean that there are decades of potentially dangerous space weather in storefronts. The sun traces a cycle of solar activity of about 11 years, beginning with […]
Anthropologists argue that the position of the 1,300-year-old Mayan altar’s hand has a deeper meaning
Maya used “sign language” at the altar about 1,300 years ago, and these signs could represent important dates on Maya’s long calendar, new research argues. “This was able to show that, as far as I know, everyone has a genuine, well defined script,” and was able to show that there is a hand sign on […]
Diagnosis dilemma: The knife broke in a man’s chest, unaware for eight years
Patient: 44-year-old man from Tanzania Symptoms: For 10 days, pus soaked through the opening of the man’s breast under the right nipple, urging him to visit the emergency room. He told the doctor he had no pain or difficulty breathing. He had no fever and his vital signs were normal. What happened next: When the […]
“When people gather in groups, strange behavior often appears”: How the rise of online social networks has led to dysfunctional thinking
When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, strange conspiracy theories took global social media by storm. The disease is caused by radio frequency emissions from the 5G mobile phone tower. Wild theory is spreading across social media platforms. The belief in this conspiracy was so enthusiastic that the media reported more than 100 incidents of arson […]
History of Science: The tragic death of gene therapy that stalled the field for 10 years – September 17, 1999
Simple facts Milestone: First reported death from gene therapy Date: September 17, 1999 Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia WHO: Jesse Gelsinger 26 years ago today, September 17th, a teenager who underwent experimental gene therapy died. His death led to the necessary changes in the clinical trial process, and ultimately spurred skepticism that stopped the field […]