The Earth’s fossil record serves as a portal into the ancient past, offering glimpses of organisms that once roamed the planet. Recently, scientists in Germany made a remarkable discovery – a six-armed brittle star fossil that captures a moment of regeneration frozen in time. Unearthed from a limestone deposit in southern Germany, this exceptional specimen
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In a groundbreaking new study, scientists have confirmed that it has been 2,000 years since the Northern Hemisphere experienced a summer as hot as the one in 2023. This alarming revelation indicates that we have surpassed the limits set by the 2015 Paris Agreement to restrict warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels, at least
It was a momentous occasion when the Perseverance rover was launched on a mission to Mars, traveling through the Solar System before landing on the red planet in February 2021. Since its arrival, the rover has spent 1000 days exploring the Jezero Crater, a location believed to have once been home to an ancient lake.
Adenomyosis is a chronic condition that affects the uterus, characterized by endometrium-like cells growing into the myometrium. Despite affecting as many as one in five women, it remains relatively unheard of compared to conditions like endometriosis. Symptoms of adenomyosis include irregular and heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and potential effects on fertility. Diagnosing adenomyosis can
In recent years, abnormally warm patches of water in the Pacific Ocean, known as ‘blobs’, have been causing havoc on marine ecosystems. These warm patches have been linked to a reduction in aerosol emissions in China. This connection has been discovered through a new study conducted by an international team of researchers, using detailed computer
Every day, minuscule fragments of plastic pollution make their way into our bodies through various means, including eating, drinking, and even breathing. Shockingly, it is estimated that the average person unknowingly inhales a credit card’s worth of plastic each week, with the potential health effects remaining largely unknown. In a recent discovery in 2022, scientists
Plants, often underestimated in their complexity, have a secret way of communicating and protecting themselves from harm. Through the release of airborne compounds, plants are able to repel herbivores and warn neighboring plants of potential dangers. This fascinating mechanism has been studied since the 1980s, with over 80 plant species known to utilize this defense
Our cells’ genetic code serves as a blueprint for the proteins essential for our survival. Over time, small modifications occur, acting as ‘genetic switches’ that impact how our cells interpret instructions without altering the genetic code itself. These alterations, known as epigenetic changes, accumulate and are often used to determine the biological age of cells
Dementia is a debilitating condition that slowly erodes a person’s memories and personality traits, leading to a state where they are unable to communicate, eat, drink, or recognize their loved ones. However, amidst this decline, there are moments of unexpected clarity and lucidity that have been reported by caregivers, health-care workers, and family members of
The ancient Maya civilization has always been shrouded in mystery, with their intricate rituals and practices captivating archaeologists and historians for centuries. Recently, a groundbreaking discovery was made by a team of archaeologists from the US, Canada, and Mexico. Beneath the paved floor of a plaza believed to be a court for the Maya Ballgame,