773,000-year-old fossils discovered in Casablanca may be the oldest common ancestor of modern humans and Neanderthals
The geography of human origins is changing, with the discovery of 773,000-year-old fossils in a Moroccan cave that pinpoint the beginning of the modern human lineage in northwest Africa, according to a new study. In a study published in the journal Nature on Wednesday (7 January), a team of Moroccan and French researchers detailed an […]
‘They’re much more connected than we thought’: study could rewrite our understanding of glia, the nervous system’s supporting cells
Providing nerves with fresh mitochondria may help reduce chronic nerve pain, new research suggests. The study, conducted in mouse cells, live mice, and human tissue, revealed a previously unknown role for mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells. This shows that supporting cells within the nervous system can transport mitochondria to nerves that respond to pressure, temperature, […]
Diagnostic dilemma: Huge ‘stone’ in man’s bladder looked like an ostrich egg
Patient: 35-year-old male living in Iran Symptoms: A man visited the urology department of a hospital complaining of bladder discomfort. He had no problems urinating and had no history of surgery or disease in that part of his body. Nor did he experience the typical symptoms of a urinary tract infection, such as constantly feeling […]
‘Why is this happening?’: Scientists discover large group of ancient galaxies that are too hot to exist
Astronomers have discovered an unexpectedly hot cluster of galaxies in the early universe, casting doubt on theories of galaxy evolution. This scorching galaxy cluster existed just 1.4 billion years after the Big Bang, burning up much earlier and hotter than current models of cluster formation would predict. The findings suggest that predicted patterns of cluster […]
Researchers suggest that advanced alien civilizations may be communicating visibly ‘like fireflies’
Advanced alien civilizations could communicate via series of flashing lights, much like fireflies do, a new paper suggests. This could make finding extraterrestrial life much more difficult if we continue to rely on current observational techniques, researchers argue. However, while this thought experiment raises interesting questions about alien intelligence, it provides no evidence that these […]
The moon has secretly enjoyed Earth’s atmosphere for billions of years, new research reveals
The moon has been quietly absorbing tiny bits of Earth’s atmosphere for billions of years, a new study reveals. This amazing incident of space cannibalism is thanks to the supercharged solar wind and, more importantly, to our planet’s magnetic field. The discovery overturns a two-decade-old theory about how certain charged particles, known as ions, reach […]
1,100-year-old burial of elite warriors and their weapons discovered in Hungary – and DNA shows all three are related
Hungarian archaeologists have discovered the burials of three elite male warriors from 1,100 years ago, and DNA analysis shows they were related. The warriors’ burial goods include weapons such as sabers and bows with quivers, as well as dozens of coins. DNA analysis showed that one of the warriors may have been the father or […]
This ‘marker’ may be more predictive of heart disease than cholesterol
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Since researchers first established the link between diet, cholesterol, and heart disease in the 1950s, heart disease risk has been assessed in part based on a patient’s cholesterol levels, which can be routinely measured through blood tests in the doctor’s office. However, accumulating […]
Wolf Supermoon Gallery: See photos from around the world of the first full moon of 2026
The first full moon of 2026, known as the Wolf Moon, appeared on Saturday (January 3), and skywatchers captured stunning photos of it. The wolf moon’s name is of both Native American and Anglo-Saxon origin, and likely derives from the idea that the howls of hungry wolves are easier to hear near midwinter. The full […]
Alfred’s Jewels: 1,100-year-old treasure of England’s first king, who declared, “Alfred ordered me to make it.”
simple facts Name: Alfred Jewel What is it: cloisonné jewelry wrapped in gold, with an inscription Birthplace: Somerset County, England Production period: 871-899 AD In 1693, a farmer plowing his fields in North Petherton, south-west England, discovered an interesting piece of medieval jewelry made of gold, enamel, and crystal. However, what distinguishes this piece from […]