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Astronomers Have Detected a Mysterious, Dusty Object Erratically Dimming Its Star

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There are a lot of unexplained objects out there in the Universe, and astronomers have just found another one – a strange, dusty object that may be causing its host star to dim by up to 75 percent.   Often, when we see something block out the light of its star it’s an exoplanet or … Read more

Brain Signals Associated With OCD Discovered by Scientists For First Time

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Scientists have been able to observe brain activity linked with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in more detail than ever before – and if these neural signals can be identified, it opens up the possibility of being able to change them as well.   OCD can affect up to two in every 100 adults, and while various … Read more

‘Icemageddon’ Strikes Alaska in Record Bout of Extreme Weather

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Extreme weather in Alaska that has brought record high temperatures and torrential downpours has left authorities in the far northern US state warning of “Icemageddon”. Huge sheets of ice are blocking roads and choking traffic in Fairbanks, Alaska’s second largest city, reported the state’s transportation department, which has coined the neologism – a play on … Read more

Mysterious Footprints Suggest Neanderthals Climbed a Volcano Right After It Erupted

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According to legend, the devil once took a walk down the side of a volcano in southern Italy, each step preserved forever in solid rock. The tracks are known as the “Ciampate del Diavolo“‘ or “Devil’s Trail” – but details published in 2020 reveal a less diabolical yet far more interesting story on how they … Read more

This 19th Century ‘Eco-Villain’ Made Space Art That Was Truly Ahead of Its Time

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Astrophotography allows us all to become citizens of the cosmos.  At a glimpse, we can be transported into the depths of space to gaze upon Jupiter’s dazzling cloudscape. Moments later we can picture the shifting rust-colored sands of Mars, or navigate our way across the lunar surface.   It’s a gift that’s easy to take … Read more

The Tiny Dots in This Image Aren’t Stars or Galaxies. They’re Black Holes

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The image above may look like a fairly normal picture of the night sky, but what you’re looking at is a lot more special than just glittering stars. Each of those white dots is an active supermassive black hole.   And each of those black holes is devouring material at the heart of a galaxy … Read more

What if Math Is a Fundamental Part of Nature, Not Something Humans Came Up With?

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Nature is an unstoppable force, and a beautiful one at that. Everywhere you look, the natural world is laced with stunning patterns that can be described with mathematics. From bees to blood vessels, ferns to fangs, math can explain how such beauty emerges.   Math is often described this way, as a language or a … Read more

This Mysterious Fire in Australia Has Been Burning For at Least 6,000 Years

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In a national park a four-hour drive north of Sydney in Australia, a fire is smoldering out of control – and it’s been doing so for at least 6,000 years. Known as ‘Burning Mountain’, the mysterious underground blaze is the oldest known fire on the planet. And some scientists estimate it may be far more … Read more

There’s Something About Eating Mushrooms That Seems to Lower Depression Risk

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A large-scale analysis of people who eat mushrooms suggests they have a lower risk of developing depression. The association is still a mystery, and for now, the authors say the data should be interpreted with caution. There’s always a chance the results are a mere correlation, especially since eating more mushrooms didn’t seem to lower … Read more

The Science of a Good Nap

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For a society constantly trying to over-extend, over-perform, and over-deliver, skipping out on sleep may be seen as the ultimate badge of productivity. It’s a lifestyle we most associate with the rich and powerful of the world, not to mention the hustle-drunk tech bros of Silicon Valley – but it’s not even a new thing. Even … Read more