Astronomers find the strongest evidence yet of a rocky planet beyond us Solar system has managed to maintain an atmosphere – a vital component of life as we know it. This discovery is the first time that scientists have detected the atmosphere around an orbiting rocky planet. habitable area of another star, the region around …
A newly identified branch of the marsupial family tree is adding a surprising twist to the history of Australia’s most distinctive mammals. The discovery suggests that their evolution was more complex and more mysterious than scientists previously understood. Marsupials first arrived in Australia more than 55 million years ago. Since then, they have spread into …
Science word of the day: neuroplasticity Pronunciation: : nur-roh-pla-stis’-ih-tee What does it mean: Neuroplasticity is the ability of the nervous system to adapt to the environment or injuries by forming new connections and modifying and strengthening existing connections. Neuroplasticity can occur after an injury, such as a stroke or trauma to the brain, but it …
This week’s science news reminds us how the past still speaks if we listen carefully. 18 ancient Egyptian tombs discovered filled with dozens of gold tongues Topping up the bill. The ancient Egyptians believed that gold was the flesh of the gods, meaning that giving the deceased a tongue of gold could help them speak …
Scientists have discovered the building blocks of life inside a meteorite that fell into a New Jersey home two years ago. A new study suggests that space rocks contain amino acids, carbon compounds and other “prebiotic” molecules that may have helped start life on our planet. The study team was led by scientists Peter Jenniskensa …
Mentions of female farm managers are conspicuously hidden in ancient Roman texts, laws, literature, and tomb inscriptions spanning five centuries. Modern historians have generally assumed that they were domestic servants, in charge of household tasks and household meals, and separate from the productive business of the farm. my new paperPublished in the Journal of Roman …
lots of discussion around artificial intelligence (AI) focuses on grand ideas like the rise of the imaginary artificial general intelligence (AGI) and superintendence. Speculation is swirling around the possibility that technology will weaken the job market, or even eliminate it. Death or evolution of human creativity. We have not focused as much attention on the …
The animals come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, from spindly stick insects to massive whales. Round animals are hard to find, but they are more common in the sea than on land. So what is the roundest animal, and why are round animals unusual? At a glance, round animals wouldn’t look as …
The foundations of a barracks excavated at Fort Anne National Historic Site, Novia Scotia, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada-Annapolis Valley Register The foundations of barracks built by the British in 1752 have been unearthed at Nova Scotia’s Fort Anne National Historic Site, reports say. The fort was built by Scottish settlers in 1629 to protect the …
Scientists have long wondered when RNA began life on Earth 4 billion years agoIt can only form small, simple structures. But new research shows that naturally occurring RNA molecules can also adopt large, sophisticated geometries, such as filaments and cages. Now, scientists wonder whether the structures existed at the beginning of life. According to an …