1.4-million-year-old footprints reveal a surprisingly large human relative

A remarkable set of fossil footprints from northern Kenya is offering scientists a rare glimpse of how an extinct human relative may have moved and interacted about 1.4 million years ago. The tracks, preserved near an ancient lakeshore, appear to record eight Paranthropus boisei individuals occupying the same place at…

This strange “spacetime crystal” can suddenly become a black hole

Physics allows for black holes far smaller than the enormous objects typically found at the centers of galaxies or created when massive stars collapse. Under the right conditions, microscopic black holes could also form when spacetime enters an unusual critical state and organizes into a repeating, crystal-like pattern. Researchers from…

Common supplements rival antibiotics for severe gum disease

A combination of omega-3 and low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) performed about as well as antibiotics in a yearlong study of people with severe periodontitis, raising the possibility of an alternative treatment for some patients. The research was conducted by scientists affiliated with Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital, Guarulhos University (UNG), the…

IBM quantum computer solves classically intractable problem in 15 minutes

Scientists used a new error correction strategy to encode 70 logical qubits and tackle a problem considered classically intractable. The quantum computation was completed in about 15 minutes, while leading classical computing methods would require an impractical amount of time to perform the same task. IBM and researchers at the…

HEPA air purifiers may boost brain function after just one month

Using an in-home HEPA purifier for one month spurs a small but significant improvement in brain function in adults age 40 and older. That’s the result of a new study we co-authored in the journal Scientific Reports. HEPA purifiers – HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air – remove particulate…

Hundreds of hidden earthquakes found at Antarctica’s Doomsday Glacier

Glacial earthquakes are a special type of earthquake generated in cold, icy regions. First discovered in the northern hemisphere more than 20 years ago, these quakes occur when huge chunks of ice fall from glaciers into the sea. Until now, only a very few have been found in the Antarctic.…

Scientists discover a massive heat anomaly deep inside Mars

Researchers have uncovered a major temperature imbalance deep inside Mars, with the planet’s southern interior appearing significantly hotter than its northern half. Gravity measurements suggest that the interior beneath Mars’s southern hemisphere is about 200 to 400 degrees Celsius warmer than the north and may be partially molten. The finding…

Seven new frog species were hiding beneath Madagascar’s forest floor

An international research team has identified seven previously undescribed species of Madagascar’s elusive diamond frogs (Rhombophryne), adding new evidence that this unusual amphibian group is far more diverse than scientists once realized. Accurately identifying species and understanding where they live are essential for measuring biodiversity and protecting it. To sort…

Ancient Egyptian princesses were buried with weapons. Their bones reveal why

For years, archaeologists have debated why some ancient Egyptian princesses were buried with weapons. The bows, arrows, daggers, and maces found in their tombs were often interpreted as ceremonial objects rather than equipment the women had actually used. A new examination of royal mummies from Egypt’s Middle Kingdom now suggests…

Researchers unveil sustainable spirulina solution to vitamin B12 deficiency

Scientists have found a way to grow Spirulina that produces biologically active vitamin B12 at levels comparable to beef, potentially overcoming one of the biggest nutritional limitations of this widely promoted algae. The research, published in the scientific journal Discover Food, was led by Dr. Asaf Tzachor, Founder and Academic…

Nepal, il bilancio sale a 734 morti e 2.498 dispersi – Notizie – Ansa.it

Il bilancio provvisorio delle inondazioni in Nepal, al confine con la Cina, è salito a 734 morti e 2.498 dispersi. Lo ha annunciato oggi l’autorità nepalese incaricata della gestione delle emergenze. I media statali cinesi hanno a loro volta riportato un bilancio di 16 morti e 546 dispersi sul proprio…

The next Cascadia megaquake could hit Oregon harder than expected

A new seismic analysis of the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate beneath northern Oregon suggests the subducting slab lies closer to the surface than scientists previously believed. The finding could affect estimates of how strongly the region might shake during a future Cascadia megathrust earthquake. The Juan de Fuca plate…

Some signs of quantum gravity may be an illusion

Two remarkably successful theories explain nearly everything we observe in the universe, from tiny atoms and molecules to planets, stars, and galaxies. Quantum mechanics describes the behavior of matter at very small scales, while Einstein’s theory of gravity explains how stars and black holes move and how the Universe expands.…