Five genetic “traits” that support various mental illnesses
The largest genetic analysis of mental disorders to date shows that most relevant genetic variants are associated with multiple mental health conditions, not just one. The study found that 14 psychiatric disorders can be classified into five major groups depending on the genetic variations associated with them. For example, the findings group anorexia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive […]
Today’s biggest science news: Possibility of unknown human ancestor ‘Littlefoot’ | Geminid meteor shower peak | Comet 3I/ATLAS closest approach
refresh 2025-12-15T18:28:24.161Z Large genetic research group on mental disorders One study found that 14 mental illnesses can be categorized into five genetic profiles. (Image credit: TEK IMAGE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY, via Getty Images) Live Science contributor Clarissa Brincat covers the largest genetic analysis of mental illness ever. The study included data from more than 1 million […]
Magdalene: Jerusalem’s 2,000-year-old carving is the world’s oldest known menorah carving
simple facts Name: Magdalene What is it: carved stone block Birthplace: Magdalene Synagogue, Israel Created: Before 70 AD In 2009, Israeli archaeologists discovered a giant stone in an ancient synagogue near the Sea of Galilee. There was an ancient menorah carved into it. Only a few depictions of menorahs exist from the Second Temple period, […]
The United Nations’ International Asteroid Alert Network is closely monitoring Comet 3I/ATLAS. Here’s why:
As the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS prepares to make its closest approach to Earth on December 19th, it is being watched by space agencies as well as the United Nations. The comet will come within about 167 million miles (270 million kilometers) of Earth and will be tracked by telescopes around the world to help astronomers […]
‘This has rewritten our understanding of Roman concrete production’: Abandoned Pompeii workshops reveal how to make self-healing concrete
Roman concrete is pretty amazing. That is one of the main reasons why we know so much about Roman architecture today. So many structures built by the Romans still survive in some form thanks to their ingenious concrete and construction techniques. But there’s still much we don’t know about how the Romans made concrete so […]
Scientists have finally decoded the vampire squid’s giant genome, revealing the secret of its ‘living fossil’
There has long been a missing chapter in the story of cephalopod evolution. That’s how a squid-like ancestor gave rise to today’s octopus. It turns out that the answer has been floating in the deep ocean all along. The elusive vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis), with its ghostly glowing eyes, eight arms resembling its octopus cousin, […]
Strange bursts of energy traveling at 99% of the speed of light are unlike anything scientists have seen before — Space Photo of the Week
simple facts What is it: Gamma ray burst GRB 250702B Location: 8 billion light years away, in the constellation Scutum. Share date: December 8, 2025 Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most energetic type of explosion in the universe since the Big Bang, and are detected on average once every day. But what happened on July […]
Can turtles push their heads completely inside their shells?
It is a long-held belief that turtles can tuck their heads into their shells when threatened. But is it true? And is it this defense that turtles around the world have shells today? The answer, experts told Live Science, is that some types of turtles can, and some cannot. And while shells may be protective […]
History of Science: Norwegian explorer wins perilous race to the South Pole while British rival dies along with his crew — December 14, 1911
Milestone: Humanity reaches the South Pole Date: December 14, 1911 Location: Geographical South Pole, Antarctica People: Roald Amundsen and his crew In 1910, a fierce competition began between Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and British sea captain Robert Falcon Scott. Each explorer wanted to be the first to reach the geographic South Pole and thereby conquer […]
2,000-year-old shipwreck may be Egypt’s ‘pleasure barge’ of the last dynasty of pharaohs
Underwater archaeologists have discovered the remains of a 2,000-year-old ship that may have been the luxury “tour boat” of the ancient elite while diving off the coast of Egypt. The researchers discovered the barge in the ancient port of Alexandria, the capital of Egypt during the Ptolemaic period (304-30 BC) and later a major city […]