Bizarre ‘half-Möbius’ molecule has unusual properties chemists have never seen before
Researchers have created an unusually twisted molecule with an electronic structure never seen before. The new molecular structure, called semi-Möbius topology, is “another knob we can turn to create and manipulate matter” and expands our fundamental understanding of physics and chemistry, co-lead author Igor Roncevic, lecturer in computational and theoretical chemistry at the University of […]
Why do some people believe that ancient civilizations were formed by aliens?
Could ancient humans really have built the pyramids without extraterrestrial help? Or do such questions reveal more about modern anxieties than the past itself? The idea that aliens assisted the builders of ancient ruins was proposed by Swiss author Erich von Däniken in his 1968 bestseller, Chariots of the Gods. Von Däniken passed away in […]
The secret weapon to combat carbon emissions has been discovered: beaver
Beaver dams and ponds can turn stream channels into annual net carbon sinks, capturing more carbon than they release in a year, a new study finds. The discovery has major implications for the reintroduction of the Eurasian beaver (castor fiber) across Europe, after it was hunted to the brink of extinction for centuries. If similar […]
Rare stars discovered in original galaxy may answer important questions about the ingredients of life: Space Photo of the Week
overview What is it: Star PicII-503 in the Pictor II dwarf galaxy Location: 150,000 light years from Earth in the constellation Pictor Share date: March 16, 2026 This stunning snapshot, taken by the Dark Energy Camera (DECam) mounted atop the Victor M. Blanco 4-meter (13-foot) Telescope in Chile, shows a bright field of stars inside […]
Why do animals have different pupil shapes?
It’s easy to think of the pupil as a simple hole that dilates in darkness and contracts in light. But if you look across the animal kingdom, you’ll see a wide variety of pupil shapes. For example, a vertical slit in cats and snakes, a horizontal rectangle in goats and horses, and a W-shaped crescent […]
‘That’s why there’s 9 billion of us and not 9 billion of some other primate’: Why our ability to adapt is humanity’s ‘superpower’
Humans have evolved the ability to live anywhere on Earth, thanks to gradual changes to our biology and our knack for developing new technologies, like clothes and shelter. This adaptability is often touted as being unique to our species, Homo sapiens. In his new book, “Adaptable: How Your Unique Body Really Works and Why Our […]
This week’s science news: Super El Niño looms, Acropolis marble fragments resurface, creating pure hexagonal diamonds
This week’s science news was full of stories highlighting humanity’s complex and often troubled relationship with nature, with forecasters predicting a possible “Super El Niño” this summer. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center has announced that there is currently a 62% chance that an El Niño will occur between June and […]
Why are humans the only species with jaws?
Humans are the only species with jaws, a trait not present even in our closest relatives. In fact, it’s an anatomical feature so unique that it’s one of the main features anthropologists use to identify Homo sapiens in the fossil record. However, despite these defining characteristics, surprisingly little is known about their evolutionary purpose. So […]
Cannonballs dating back to the Battle of the Alamo are unearthed on the eve of the 190th anniversary of the conflict that killed Davy Crockett
Archaeologists have unearthed an intact bronze cannonball used in the Battle of the Alamo. They made the discovery on the eve of the 190th anniversary of the historic conflict between Mexican troops and white Texas settlers. Tiffany Lindley, the Alamo’s director of archeology, announced the discovery Thursday (March 19) on an episode of the Alamo’s […]
Can gene therapy treat most cases of Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, has had no potential treatments for decades. Previous research suggests that it is a complex, multifactorial disease where a patchwork of biological and lifestyle factors combine to increase or decrease risk. However, a new study published in January in the journal Nature suggests that the risk of […]