How writing "made us human"—an "emotional history" from ancient Iraq to the present day
Evidence suggests that writing was invented in southern Iraq sometime before 3000BC. But what happened next? Anyone interested in this question will find How Writing Made Us Human by Walter Stephens both an enjoyable and stimulating read. It offers w.....»»
NASA has a big problem with all the wind blowing out of Uranus
In 1986, NASA’s Voyager 2 made history as the first—and so far, the only—spacecraft to visit Uranus. This close encounter gave scientists a rare look … The post NASA has a big problem with all the wind blowing out of Uranus appeared f.....»»
"Jekyll and Hyde" leaders do lasting damage, new study shows
There's only one thing worse than an abusive boss—and that's a boss who thinks they can make up for their bad behavior by turning on the charm the following day. That's the key finding from a new study from researchers at Stevens Institute of Techn.....»»
Genes of ancient animal relatives used to grow a mouse: Study reveals hidden history of stem cells
An international team of researchers has achieved an unprecedented milestone: the creation of mouse stem cells capable of generating a fully developed mouse using genetic tools from a unicellular organism, with which we share a common ancestor that p.....»»
Ancient climate study links past ocean acidification to current trends
A research team led by Prof. Li Mingsong at Peking University has provided new insights into the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) and its effects on ocean chemistry......»»
Video: Environmental health professor explains wastewater woes
Few of us think about what happens to our waste after we flush the toilet, but to Jay Graham, its path is a critical part of improving human health......»»
Study uncovers earliest evidence of humans using fire to shape the landscape of Tasmania
Some of the first human beings to arrive in Tasmania, over 41,000 years ago, used fire to shape and manage the landscape, about 2,000 years earlier than previously thought......»»
Scientific breakthrough could make X-ray scans safer by reducing radiation
X-rays have fundamentally revolutionized healthcare, giving us views of the human body and even almost impossible views of atoms. However, the radiation involved in X-rays … The post Scientific breakthrough could make X-ray scans safer by reduc.....»»
Apple Pay ‘Plates’ ad shows how easy it is to spend money on the internet
Apple Pay is celebrating 10 years since launching, and a new video ad highlights something about Apple Pay that has been true since day one. Apple Pay makes it really easy to spend money on the internet. more….....»»
Five ways that climate change threatens human health
As the U.N.'s climate summit, COP29, gets underway in Azerbaijan this week, the effect of climate change on human health is high on the agenda. And rightly so, amid some alarming emerging statistics. By the end of this century, climate change could b.....»»
Troubled waters: How to stop Australia"s freshwater fish species from going extinct
Three-quarters of Australia's freshwater fish species are found nowhere else on the planet. This makes us the sole custodians of remarkable creatures such as the ornate rainbowfish, the ancient Australian lungfish and the magnificently named longnose.....»»
Study confirms Egyptians drank hallucinogenic cocktails in ancient rituals
A University of South Florida professor found the first-ever physical evidence of hallucinogens in an Egyptian mug, validating written records and centuries-old myths of ancient Egyptian rituals and practices. Through advanced chemical analyses, Davi.....»»
Biodiversity in the city: Designing urban spaces for humans and animals
Animals and plants also live and thrive on public squares. This creates opportunities for greater biodiversity and well-being for the human population. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have studied at 103 locations in Munich ho.....»»
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Arecibo Message
On the 50th anniversary of the “Arecibo message,” we present a reflection on humankind’s first attempt to send a transmission to intelligent life in the cosmos......»»
If you have to watch one Peacock movie this November, stream this one
This sunny, beautiful Peacock movie is the perfect way to spend a dull November day......»»
Shakespeare or ChatGPT? Study finds people prefer AI over real classic poetry
Readers are unable to reliably differentiate AI-generated from human-written poetry and are more likely to prefer AI poems, according to new research published in Scientific Reports. This tendency to rate AI poetry positively may be due to readers mi.....»»
Menopause is having a moment. How a new generation of women is shaping cultural attitudes
From hot flashes to hysteria, film and TV have long represented menopause as scary, emotional and messy......»»
I wasted my day on Bluesky Social and no, I"m not sorry
Bluesky is the social media flavor of the moment and yes I am here for it......»»
Astrology Was an Important Science for Medieval People
In medieval times, astrology was considered a serious science, a branch of astronomy. Curator Larisa Grollemond of the Getty Museum, walks us through the medieval zodiac and how someone’s sign decided their day-to-day life......»»
Happy Martian New Year!
The Martian new year arrives with the Red Planet’s vernal equinox. Explaining why requires a deep dive into celestial mechanics and Earth’s calendrical history.....»»
The Lucy Fossil’s Extraordinary Journey to Becoming an Icon of Human Evolution
The 3.2-million-year-old human ancestor known as Lucy rose to fame through an incredible combination of circumstances.....»»