NEW YORK — In the high-stakes race to build quantum computers, scientists just discovered something totally unexpected: sometimes these futuristic machines can still be beaten by the device in your pocket! Researchers from the Flatiron Institute in New York have witnessed a monumental event, watching a regular computer powering a smartphone outthink a next-gen quantum computer. This David-versus-Goliath upset is teaching us fascinating new things about how quantum systems behave. Earlier this year, researchers at the Flatiron Institute’s Center for Computational Quantum Physics (CCQ) used ordinary computers to solve a complex quantum problem that IBM claimed could only be tackled by...

Looking for a game that exercises your mind, feeds your social life, and brings a unique twist to game night? American Mahjong could be the perfect fit! Combining strategy, pattern recognition, and an element of luck, Mahjong has a long history and a fresh, modern appeal.  Originally rooted in Chinese culture, Mahjong became a cherished pastime in Jewish-American communities in the 1920s and is now gaining popularity across diverse backgrounds and generations. The Mental Benefits of Mahjong Unlike many games that rely on pure chance, Mahjong requires strategic thinking, memory, and adaptability. A recent scoping review published in The Journal of Prevention of...

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Around 450 million years ago, a peculiar bug-like creature roamed the ancient seas – and researchers have just unearthed its remarkable fossilized remains. These spectacular specimens, preserved in a dazzling coat of fool’s gold, are shedding new light on the origins and evolution of modern arthropods. The newly identified species, named Lomankus edgecombei, was a distant relative of today’s horseshoe crabs, scorpions, and spiders. This ancient arthropod had no eyes, but its small front appendages were perfectly adapted for burrowing through the dark seafloor sediments that once covered what is now upstate New York. Lomankus edgecombei was a...

NEW ORLEANS — Hidden beneath the forests of Mexico’s Campeche state lies an archaeological revelation: where scientists once saw empty jungle, they now find evidence of extensive ancient Maya settlement. Using advanced laser scanning technology, archaeologists have documented over 6,500 previously unknown structures across just 50 square miles of the jungle – including an entire lost city that had remained hidden in plain sight for centuries. The research, published in the journal Antiquity, provides definitive evidence that the Maya lowlands supported far larger populations than previously believed, with settlement patterns ranging from crowded urban centers to rural farmsteads. Most significantly, the...

BONN, Germany — Even when you think your eyes are perfectly still while reading these words, they’re actually making tiny, unconscious movements. As it turns out, these seemingly random twitches serve a critical purpose: they help you see the world more clearly, according to new research from Germany. The study, published in the journal eLife, reveals that these microscopic eye movements work in perfect harmony with the arrangement of light-sensing cells in our eyes, automatically adjusting to help us achieve the sharpest possible vision. “Unlike a camera, our eyes are constantly and unconsciously in motion,” explains Dr. Wolf Harmening, who leads the...

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — In the year 1181 CE, Chinese and Japanese astronomers recorded a mysterious new star appearing in the night sky — a “guest star” that shone brightly for about 185 days before fading away. Now, over 840 years later, scientists have created the first detailed 3D map of the debris from this ancient stellar explosion, revealing fascinating new details about one of the rarest types of supernovae ever discovered. The remnant of this cosmic explosion, known as Pa 30, is unlike any other supernova remnant astronomers have found. Instead of the typical cloudy, bubble-like structure, Pa 30 features striking...

ARLINGTON, Texas — Forget brain games and memory supplements — the key to maintaining cognitive function as we age might be as simple as setting a reminder. That’s the provocative finding from a new study that challenges conventional wisdom about aging and memory, suggesting that external memory aids could eliminate certain age-related memory differences entirely. A team of researchers from the University of Texas at Arlington and Arizona State University has found that digital reminders can effectively eliminate age-related declines in “prospective memory” – our ability to remember to do things in the future. This type of memory is essential for...

DUNEDIN, New Zealand — One of the most fundamental questions in biology is whether the actions of humans can directly cause evolutionary changes in wild species. Now, researchers from the University of Otago have documented what may be the clearest example yet of human-induced evolution, showing how deforestation in New Zealand has driven rapid color changes in native insects. The study, published in Science, reveals how widespread forest clearing has forced a species of stonefly to abandon a protective disguise it no longer needs. This research represents a more definitive case than even the famous example of England’s peppered moths, which...

How does a once bustling and functioning town one day become abandoned? Scattered throughout the United States are towns like these, where residents left, but remnants of their lives remain frozen in time. For the curious traveler, wandering through these deserted settlements offers a glimpse into lost history, and, sometimes, sends chills down their spine. These neglected ghost towns often come with unnerving stories that explain the end of life there. I have waded through the thick of such legends so that those who wish to stroll through American ghost towns come armed with the lore that surrounds each place. Many...

CINCINNATI — In a discovery that might even frighten the writers of the horror movie “Anaconda,” researchers have documented just how wide Burmese pythons can stretch their mouths. The answer? Wide enough to swallow a deer with a chest the size of a car tire – and that’s just the beginning of this remarkable scientific story. Specifically, researchers have documented the largest-ever measured gape size in Burmese pythons, with three massive specimens each able to open their mouths an impressive 26 centimeters (about 10.2 inches) wide. Even more remarkably, as seen below, one of these snakes was caught in the act...

VIENNA, Austria — Imagine trying to photograph the exact moment a soap bubble pops. Now imagine something happening a trillion-trillion times faster. For decades, scientists thought certain quantum events were simply “instantaneous” – like an electron suddenly jumping from an atom when struck by light, or particles mysteriously becoming “quantum entangled.” But what if we could watch these events unfold in slow motion? In a game-changing study published in Physical Review Letters, an international team of researchers has developed sophisticated computer simulations that reveal the birth of quantum entanglement – what Einstein famously called “spooky action at a distance” – by...

GENEVA, Switzerland — Have you ever wondered why dogs, cows, and other mammals have those distinctive geometric patterns on their wet noses? Those polygonal shapes aren’t just random decorations – they’re intricate structures that help keep animals’ noses moist and aid in their ability to smell and regulate temperature. Now, fascinating research shows us the remarkable process behind how these patterns form during embryonic development, challenging our understanding of how complex biological structures emerge. The study, led by researchers at the University of Geneva and several other institutions across Europe, discovered that these nose patterns – technically called “rhinoglyphics” – form...

NEW ORLEANS — A high school math contest has turned into a history-making event thanks to a pair of young girls. These two teenage math stars have developed five new proofs of the Pythagorean theorem, one of mathematics’ most fundamental principles. Their work, now published in The American Mathematical Monthly, challenges long-held beliefs about how this cornerstone of geometry can be proven. Ne’Kiya Jackson and Calcea Johnson, who completed this work while still in high school, have accomplished something that has eluded mathematicians for centuries: creating entirely new ways to prove the famous a² + b² = c² equation. Their achievement...

EL PASO, Texas — In a breakthrough that could make early cancer detection more accessible worldwide, researchers have developed a simple, low-cost testing device that can detect multiple cancer markers in blood with greater sensitivity than current methods. Perhaps even more impressive: results could be available from the cancer test within an hour! The innovative system, described in a recent paper published in Lab on a Chip, combines ordinary paper and plastic materials to create this inexpensive but highly accurate diagnostic tool. Cancer remains one of the world’s deadliest diseases, with an estimated 19.31 million new cases and 10 million deaths reported...

LOS ANGELES — Forget the middle seat or the spot next to the bathroom — a new survey finds that the “worst seat” on a flight can be anywhere — if the passenger next to you doesn’t use headphones! The poll found that 83% of Americans believe wearing headphones in public is basic travel etiquette, with noise pollution from fellow passengers becoming such a significant issue that 58% say we’ve reached “public crisis levels.” Just how bad is a noisy seatmate? The survey commissioned by JBL found it’s bad enough that travelers would accept almost any alternative. When faced with a...

OXFORD, United Kingdom — From meerkats to macaques, social animals tend to live longer, take more time to reach maturity, and have more extended reproductive periods than their more solitary counterparts, according to research from the University of Oxford. Living in social groups comes with clear tradeoffs. On one hand, social animals can share resources, protect each other from predators, and help raise offspring together. On the other hand, they face increased risks of disease transmission, competition for resources, and social conflicts. Yet despite these challenges, scientists say the benefits of social living appear to outweigh the costs across the animal...

NANJING, China –– What if a supplement marketed for heart health could actually increase your risk of heart attack? That’s the question raised by new research examining taurine, a widely-used amino acid found in energy drinks and dietary supplements. While often touted for its cardiovascular benefits, researchers warn that taurine might actually destabilize atherosclerotic plaques – potentially increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes in some cases. The research, published in the Journal of Exploratory Research in Pharmacology, challenges previous assumptions about taurine’s protective effects on heart health. The study, conducted by researchers at several institutions in Nanjing, China, found...

RESTON, Va. — The United States of America may literally be sitting on top of buried treasure! Deep beneath the soil of southwestern Arkansas, scientists have discovered an unexpected fortune: enough lithium to power millions of batteries for electric vehicles. The discovery may even free America from its dependence on foreign imports of this crucial mineral. The groundbreaking study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) revealed that this region holds between 5 and 19 million tons of lithium reserves. That’s enough to meet the entire world’s projected 2030 demand for electric vehicle batteries nine times over. The discovery published in Science Advances...

NEW YORK — In today’s increasingly complex financial landscape, American parents are working overtime to prepare their children for fiscal responsibility — offering an average of 114 pieces of unique financial advice annually. However, there’s a catch: their children are only listening about 54% of the time! A new nationwide survey, conducted by Talker Research for international money app Wise, polled 5,000 American parents over 30, with equal representation across all 50 states. The findings paint a picture of parents navigating the challenging waters of financial education in an ever-evolving digital age. Children typically seek financial guidance about four times monthly, while...

Hearing that someone is vegan now is nothing out of the ordinary. Restaurant menus and grocery offerings have now adapted, and it isn’t hard to find vegan options when shopping or dining out. Vegan products now include supplements like protein powder. If you go to the gym or work out, you know that getting the proper amount of protein is essential for muscle growth and recovery. It can be hard to fit in this requirement in your regular diet just from food consumption, so protein powder is often used as a supplement. Luckily, there are now some amazing vegan options....