Why do children eat boogers?
Everyone has seen it. A child shoves one finger into his nostril, digs a nugget out of the cavity, pulls it out, and devours it like a delicious snack. It may be terrible for adults, but most kids don’t seem to be fazed by it at all. So why do kids eat boogers? And could […]
Psychedelics may rewire the brain to treat PTSD. Scientists are finally beginning to understand how.
EDITOR’S NOTE This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. For researcher Lynnette Averill, the quest to find a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) […]
The psychedelic drug ayahuasca may be able to treat PTSD, early research suggests. But it’s not clear how exactly it works.
Editor’s note — This article contains discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, you can reach America’s National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat online at 988lifeline.org. In 2014, Navy fighter pilot Keegan “Smurf” Gill was piloting an F/A-18 Super Hornet after a fatal […]
Bandera Volcano Ice Cave: Strange lava tube in New Mexico where temperatures are constantly below freezing
simple facts Name: Bandera Volcano Ice Cave Location: Zuni Mountains, New Mexico Coordinates: 34.9932, -108.0807 Why we don’t believe it: The cave is so cold that arctic algae grows on the ice inside. Bandera Volcano Ice Cave is a cavity in the ground in New Mexico where temperatures never exceed 31 degrees Fahrenheit (-0.6 degrees […]
All major galaxies except one are moving away from the Milky Way – and we finally know why
The structure of the local universe is surprisingly flat, according to a new study, and this cosmic peculiarity could save our Milky Way galaxy from colliding with countless nearby giant galaxies, except for one. For decades, astronomers have made the puzzling observation that our nearest galactic neighbor, Andromeda, is hurtling towards a possible collision with […]
“Mono” viruses increase the risk of MS and cancer for some people. 22 genes suggest why.
Approximately 90% of people will become infected with the Epstein-Barr virus at some point in their lives. In most cases, the virus causes a mild, transient illness or no symptoms at all. However, for some people, Epstein Barr may ultimately contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as lupus or multiple sclerosis, or cancer. […]
The spotted orchid fly has invaded the United States. They may have acquired evolutionary superpowers in Chinese cities.
Spotted Lambo spread across the United States with relentless speed. And now we have a clue as to why. Living in cities appears to have made these invasive insects more resistant to stress. “Cities may act as evolutionary incubators that allow invasive species to better cope with pressures such as heat and pesticides, which may […]
Kanji the bonobo was able to pretend – a trait thought to be unique to humans.
Scientists have experimentally shown for the first time that bonobos (Pan paniscus), our closest living relatives along with chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), are capable of pretend play previously thought to be unique to humans. Kanji, a unique bonobo that can understand English, was able to track imaginary juices and grapes during pretend tea parties, much like […]
The black hole explosion, named “Jetty McGetface,” is one of the most energetic objects in the universe.
Jets from supermassive black holes become more energetic over time, and are now thought to be one of the most energetic objects in the universe. The jet, dubbed the Jetty McJet Face, originated from a previously studied black hole in 2022, which grabbed a star and began smashing it into pieces, ejecting jets in the […]
New scan reveals Martian meteorite that fell to Earth was filled with ancient water
Many tiny flecks of ancient water are trapped inside the oldest and most famous Martian meteorite ever to fall to Earth, a new study has found. The surprising discovery, achieved using a new form of ‘neutron scanning’, reveals further clues about Mars’ watery past, which may have been the setting for the flourishing of extraterrestrial […]