A surprising way to trap a microparticle
When physicists recently steered a tiny microparticle toward a cylindrical obstacle, they expected one of two outcomes to occur. The particle would either collide into the obstacle or sail around it. The particle, however, did neither......»»
Why there may be oceans inside dwarf planets beyond Pluto—and what this means for the likely abundance of life
Earth was long thought to be the only planet in our solar system with an ocean, but it is beginning to look as though there are underground oceans inside even the most surprising icy bodies......»»
Researchers demonstrate that forests trap airborne microplastics, acting as terrestrial sinks
A research group led by Japan Women's University finds that airborne microplastics adsorb to the epicuticular wax on the surface of forest canopy leaves, and that forests may act as terrestrial sinks for airborne microplastics......»»
The psychological poverty trap: How lack of money impacts decision-making, procrastination and loss of control
Lack of money impacts how a person takes financial decisions: now or preferably later. Procrastination and avoidance behaviors in turn have an effect on lack of money, which can result in a sense of loss of control. These are the findings of psycholo.....»»
Researchers discover 125,000-year-old coastal ecosystem underneath spaceport in Kourou
In what is an intriguing mix of past and future, an international team of researchers, including some from the University of Bonn, has stumbled upon a surprising window to the past in Kourou in French Guiana. In the clay underneath the new launch pad.....»»
Japan attempts to revive moon lander after second lunar night
Japan's space agency said on Tuesday it will try to revive its moon lander after a second frigid, two-week lunar night, following a surprising awakening last month......»»
How did nervous systems, with their incredible complexity, evolve across different species?
New research supported by the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute's Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars program zeroes in on the surprising observation that many genes found in brain cells and synapses—the points of communication between neurons—.....»»
Astronauts have surprising ability to know how far they "fly" in space
New research led by York University finds astronauts have a surprising ability to orient themselves and gauge distance traveled while free from the pull of gravity......»»
Large Language Models’ Emergent Abilities Are a Mirage
A new study suggests that sudden jumps in LLMs’ abilities are neither surprising nor unpredictable, but are actually the consequence of how we measure ability in AI......»»
Why are we so divided? Zero-sum thinking is part of it
A recent working paper charts the surprising politics of zero-sum thinking—or the belief that one individual or group's gain is another's loss—with a goal of offering fresh insight into our nation's schisms......»»
New spy cameras reveal surprising behaviors of chacma baboons
An ingenious new camera collar has offered researchers from our Anthropology department an unprecedented glimpse into the secret lives of wild baboons in South Africa......»»
A universal insertion of various molecules into ionic crystals under high pressure
An international team has revealed a surprising universal propensity of forming stable hybrid compounds under high pressures......»»
US government agencies demand fixable ice cream machines
McFlurries are a notable part of petition for commercial and industrial repairs. Enlarge / Taylor's C709 Soft Serve Freezer isn't so much mechanically complicated as it is a software and diagnostic trap for anyone without authori.....»»
States Are Lining Up to Outlaw Lab-Grown Meat
Around 46 million Americans live in states that have introduced bills to ban cultivated meat, the latest escalation in a surprising culture war......»»
Surprising insights about debris flows on Mars
The period that liquid water was present on the surface of Mars may have been shorter than previously thought. Channel landforms called gullies, previously thought to be formed exclusively by liquid water, can also be formed by the action of evaporat.....»»
Sea anemones study reveals insights into predator-prey dynamics
A new study reveals crucial insights into animal defense mechanisms and tradeoffs. The surprising discovery of a native anemone population lacking the Nv1 neurotoxin led to an investigation into its impact on defending against grass shrimp, a native.....»»
The surprising key to magpie intelligence: It"s not genetic
If you've ever had the pleasure of encountering Australia's iconic magpies, you know these birds are intelligent creatures. With their striking black and white plumage, loud warbling voices and complex social behaviors, magpies possess a level of avi.....»»
Hubble sees spiral galaxy NGC 4423 edge-on
This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image shows NGC 4423, a galaxy that lies about 55 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo. In this image, NGC 4423 appears to have quite an irregular, tubular form, so it might be surprising to find ou.....»»
Archeoastronomy uses the rare times and places of previous total solar eclipses to help us measure history
In 648 BCE, the Greek poet Archilochus wrote that "nothing can be surprising any more or impossible or miraculous, now that Zeus, father of the Olympians has made night out of noonday, hiding the light of the gleaming sun.".....»»
Parents and teens on smartphone usage: Snooping, distracted parenting, and more
A new survey of both parents and teens explores how families navigate the issues of smartphone usage, with some of the results more surprising than others. Chief among the unsurprising findings is that around 40% of families have repeated argument.....»»
Scientists reveal new lineages of giant sea anemones in Japan and their surprising associations with anemonefish
Anemonefish form mutualistic relationships with the sea anemones they live in and these associations are not random: some species such as the yellow-tail anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii) are generalists and can live in almost any sea anemone, others.....»»