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Fareeha Arshad
Yellowstone's Legendary Wolf 907F Defies Odds With 10th Litter
Wolf 907F, an alpha female grey wolf in Yellowstone National Park, recently gave birth to her 10th litter of pups at 11, a rare feat given that grey wolves typically live only three to four years. This longevity and prolificacy are believed to set a record for the park.
Blaze Star set to illuminate the night sky for the first time in nearly 80 years
The "Blaze Star," or T Coronae Borealis, is poised for a significant outburst between now and September 2024, making it visible to the naked eye for the first time since 1946. Located 3,000 light-years from Earth, this star is expected to increase in brightness from magnitude +10 (too dim to see without a telescope) to magnitude +2, comparable to Polaris, the North Star.
100-foot walking tree discovered in New Zealand that resembles Lord of Rings' Ent
An unusual northern rātā tree has been named New Zealand's Tree of the Year for 2024. This striking tree, which resembles an Ent from "The Lord of the Rings," stands out due to its unique appearance. Its two large trunks and sprawling roots give it the appearance of walking across a field. Located in a paddock near a cemetery in Karamea on the west coast of South Island, the tree is approximately 105 feet (32 meters) tall, similar to a seven-story building.
Scientists Uncover Secrets Behind Antarctica's Crimson Blood Falls
Blood Falls, located in East Antarctica's Taylor Glacier, is known for its striking crimson waters that flow intermittently from fissures into Lake Bonney. The waterfall, which contrasts vividly with the glacier’s pristine white ice, was first documented by explorer Thomas Griffith Taylor during the Terra Nova expedition in 1911. Taylor’s name was given to the glacier and Taylor Valley, into which the glacier flows.
Brain Memory Capacity May Be Ten Times Larger Than Previously Thought
A recent study has advanced our understanding of the brain's memory capacity, revealing that it may store up to ten times more information than previously believed. Traditionally, scientists thought the number of sizes and strengths of synapses and the connections between neurons limited the brain's storage. However, new research challenges this view by demonstrating that synapses can store much more information.
Eye of the Sahara: a Geological Wonder in the Mauritanian Desert
The Eye of the Sahara, also known as the Richat structure, is a striking geological formation in the Mauritanian desert, resembling a giant bullseye from above. Spanning approximately 25 to 31 miles in diameter, this massive dome has been visible from space since the 1950s. Initially considered an impact crater, it was later determined to be formed by tectonic uplift during the Cretaceous period (145 to 66 million years ago), with its current appearance shaped by erosion.
Family Reunion Turns Dangerous After Black Bear Meal Causes Illness
In the summer of 2022, a family of nine gathered in South Dakota for a reunion. They prepared a meal featuring black bear kebabs, using meat hunted in Canada. However, several family members fell ill after consuming the meal with flu-like symptoms. While three experienced mild symptoms, another three were hospitalized, including a 29-year-old man who had severe symptoms like fever and muscle pain.
Microplastics Found in Blood Clots Linked to Stroke and Heart Attack
A recent study from China has discovered microplastics in blood clots removed from arteries in the heart and brain and deep veins in the legs. This research follows an earlier study that found microplastics in over 50% of fatty deposits in clogged arteries, suggesting a potential link between these particles and human health. The Chinese study involved 30 patients who had undergone surgery after experiencing a stroke, heart attack, or deep vein thrombosis. Microplastics were found in 24 out of 30 blood clots, with varying concentrations.
Crows Exhibit Human-Like Counting Abilities Through Vocalizations
Crows have demonstrated a surprising ability to "count" aloud, responding with a specific number of caws to visual and auditory cues. This capability, distinct from merely understanding numbers, involves producing a deliberate sequence of vocalizations, similar to how humans use speech to communicate quantities. While other animals like honeybees can grasp numerical concepts, this type of vocal numeric literacy has not been observed in non-human species until now.
New Survey Reveals Daily Cannabis Use Now Exceeds Frequent Alcohol Consumption
For the first time in the United States, regular cannabis use has surpassed frequent alcohol consumption, according to a national survey. The findings, analyzed by researchers from Carnegie Mellon's Heinz College, highlight a significant shift in drug use habits. Data from the US National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which has collected information from over 1.6 million people since 1979, shows a notable increase in daily or near-daily cannabis use, particularly since 1992.
New Study Reveals Massive Stars Can Collapse into Black Holes Without Supernova
When massive stars exhaust their fuel, they typically end their lives in dramatic supernova explosions. However, some massive stars have seemingly vanished without a trace, perplexing astronomers. A new study offers a compelling explanation: some stars may collapse directly into black holes without an accompanying supernova.
New Study Shows Bronze Age Dendra Armour Was Battle Ready
A Bronze Age armour suit, known as the Dendra panoply, was discovered in 1960 in a tomb near Dendra, southern Greece. The suit, one of the oldest complete armoured suits from the European Bronze Age, puzzled archaeologists for years due to its seemingly impractical design for extended battle use. However, a recent study involving a group of 13 marines from the Hellenic Armed Forces, who tested a replica of the suit in a simulated battle environment, concluded that the armour was indeed suitable for combat.
New Analysis of WASP 107b Reveals Hotter Core and Revised Planetary Formation Theories
For the first time, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has provided a detailed analysis of the interior of an exoplanet, specifically WASP-107b. This exoplanet, known for its low density and large, puffy appearance, has a surprisingly low methane atmosphere, indicating a hotter interior and a more massive core than previously thought.
New Evidence Shows Ancient Egyptians Tried to Treat Cancer with Surgery
The ancient Egyptians demonstrated remarkable medical sophistication, yet cancer remained a significant challenge, as it still does today. New evidence from two skulls in the University of Cambridge's Duckworth Collection reveals that the Egyptians attempted to treat cancer.
Researchers Propose Aquodiium as Key to Uranus and Neptune's Magnetic Mysteries
Unlike other planets, Uranus and Neptune have unusual magnetic fields significantly tilted from their rotational axes. A new theory by researchers from China and Russia suggests that these fields may be influenced by a peculiar ionized form of water called aquodiium, which could exist deep within these planets under extreme pressure.
New Study Suggests Planetary Alignment May Influence Solar Cycles
The Sun's activity is characterized by a complex cycle, with variations driven by internal and potentially external factors. The Schwabe cycle, an 11-year solar activity cycle, is partially attributed to gravitational interactions with Venus, Earth, and Jupiter. This planetary hypothesis, though controversial, aligns closely with the timing of the Schwabe cycles.
Autism Study Uncovers Unique Brain Development Patterns by Sex
A recent study examined cortical thinning in autistic children, revealing distinct differences influenced by birth sex. Historically, autism research has skewed towards males, impacting our understanding of cortical development differences. This study aimed to address this gap by including autistic and non-autistic children in their analysis.
Ozempic May Lower Risk of Kidney and Heart Events in High-Risk Patients
Scientists are interested in the expanding use of Ozempic as its benefits extend beyond its original role as a diabetes treatment. Recent findings highlight its potential advantages for heart and kidney health, particularly in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
Compound in Berries and Nuts May Help Combat Alzheimer's Disease
Researchers have discovered that urolithin A, a compound found in foods like pomegranates, strawberries, and walnuts, has beneficial effects in models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Building on previous findings with nicotinamide riboside (NR), which aids in mitochondrial health, this study focused on urolithin A's ability to enhance the brain's ability to clear damaged cells and proteins associated with AD.
Mediterranean Diet Nutrients Linked to Slower Brain Ageing
Researchers from the University of Illinois and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln conducted a study involving 100 volunteers aged 65 to 75 to investigate the relationship between nutrient intake and brain ageing. Instead of relying on self-reported diets, they analyzed blood samples for nutrient biomarkers associated with specific dietary components.
Fareeha Arshad
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I am a scientist by profession and a historian by passion. I mostly write about history and science.
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