The Gamespot Phenomenon
I expect we’ll be exploring, unscrambling, pontificating, and dealing with what is happening with Gamespot (GME) for a while. If you are reading this in the future and want some historical context for the rest of this post, this chart from the.....»»
Invasive alien species are a serious threat to the planet: Four key messages for Africa
Climate change has negatively—and irreversibly, in some cases—affected ecosystems around the globe. Sadly, though, it is not the only phenomenon that's altering our natural world......»»
A brief history of abortion—from ancient Egyptian herbs to fighting stigma today
You might be forgiven for thinking of abortion as a particularly modern phenomenon. But there's plenty of evidence to suggest that abortion has been a constant feature of social life for thousands of years. The history of abortion is often told as a.....»»
International study shows staycations are likely here to stay
An international study by tourism and hospitality experts in the U.S. and China has determined the "staycation phenomenon," which reached prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, is still going strong and is most likely here to stay as part of a new.....»»
New study looks again at how alcohol influences attraction
Yet another look into how alcohol influences interactions with the desired sex. Enlarge / This beer isn't helping. (credit: Grady Reese) For a phenomenon that is so deeply engrained in the public consciousness, the scien.....»»
Understanding the role of pareidolia in early human cave art
A psychological phenomenon where people see meaningful forms in random patterns, such as seeing faces in clouds, may have stimulated early humans to make cave art......»»
A model probing the connection between entangled particles and wormholes in general relativity
Quantum entanglement is a physical process through which pairs of particles become connected and remain so even when separated by vast distances. This fascinating phenomenon has been the focus of numerous research studies, due to its mysterious natur.....»»
Medicanes: rare, "supercharging" Mediterranean storms
The flash flood that has killed thousands of people in Libya this week followed a "medicane", a rare but destructive weather phenomenon that scientists believe will intensify in a warming world......»»
Nutrients drive cellular reprogramming in the intestines of fruit flies
Researchers have unveiled an intriguing phenomenon of cellular reprogramming in mature adult organs, shedding light on a novel mechanism of adaptive growth. The study, which was conducted on fruit flies (Drosophila), provides further insights into de.....»»
Swift Observatory spots a black hole snacking on a nearby star
The Swift Observatory caught a new phenomenon: a black hole snacking on a star -- not totally destroying it, but pulling off material and nibbling away at it......»»
The Rapid Intensification of Hurricane Lee Is a Warning
Fueled by warm water and humidity, hurricanes can quickly turn into life-threatening monsters. Get ready for more of this phenomenon as the planet warms......»»
The timing of fireworks-caused wildfire ignitions during the Fourth of July holiday season
Every year on the Fourth of July, fireworks cause cause a precipitous increase of wildfire ignitions in the United States (U.S.). This human-environmental phenomenon is noteworthy and highlights the impact of American culture on wildfire activity in.....»»
Soluble protein extraction facilitates the salt-induced swelling of pork meat
Salt-induced swelling is a crucial phenomenon in pork meat processing, significantly influencing the meat's water-holding capacity (WHC). Existing theories focus on the role of myofibrillar proteins, especially myosin and actin, in swelling. However,.....»»
Why not all urban foxes deserve their "bin-raiding" reputation
Ever since their colonization of British cities sometime during the last century, urban red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have become somewhat of a cultural phenomenon. Some people love them for their striking marmalade coats but others, including former pri.....»»
How decentralization works in migration policy
The phenomenon of decentralization has been one of the hottest topics in public policy and public administration for decades......»»
Surprising study results: Students are bored during exams
In the case of boredom, we think of many situations in life but intuitively not of exams. However, an international team of academics led by Thomas Götz from the University of Vienna has now studied exactly this phenomenon of test boredom for the fi.....»»
Tonight is your chance to observe a rare blue supermoon
Just in time for the end of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, tonight will see a rare astronomical phenomenon called a blue supermoon......»»
Discovery puts a magnetic spin on neuromorphic computing
The word "fractals" might inspire images of psychedelic colors spiraling into infinity in a computer animation. An invisible, but powerful and useful, version of this phenomenon exists in the realm of dynamic magnetic fractal networks......»»
"Barbie" is coming to IMAX — with extra special bonus footage
After smashing box office records and becoming a bonafide cultural phenomenon, it's hard to believe Greta Gerwig's Barbie can get any bigger. Yet an upcoming IMAX release is about to take the biggest, pinkest movie of the summer to new heights......»»
How El Nino could impact health, food and the economy
The El Niño weather phenomenon is just warming up, according to scientists, potentially paving the way for higher temperatures and extreme weather events in a year that has already seen plenty of both......»»
Biologists find what colors a butterfly"s world
As butterflies flit among flowers, they don't all view blossoms the same way. In a phenomenon called sexually dimorphic vision, females of some butterfly species perceive ultraviolet color while the males see light and dark. University of California,.....»»