Leafcutter ants live in highly organized colonies where every ant has a job, and now researchers can flip those jobs like a switch. By manipulating just two neuropeptides, scientists can turn defenders into nurses or gardeners into leaf harvesters. These same molecular signals echo in naked mole-rats, revealing a deep evolutionary link in how complex …
Scientists reprogram ant behavior using brain molecules Read More »
A cosmic particle detector in Antarctica has emitted a series of bizarre signals that defy the current understanding of particle physics, according to an international research group that includes scientists from Penn State. The unusual radio pulses were detected by the Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) experiment, a range of instruments flown on balloons high …
Impossible signal from deep beneath Antarctic ice baffles physicists Read More »
At the heart of our galaxy lies a cosmic puzzle: although the Galactic Center is packed with star-making material, massive stars form there surprisingly slowly. Using NASA’s retired SOFIA observatory, scientists captured rare high-resolution infrared views that revealed dozens of new stars being born, but not in the numbers or sizes one might expect. At …
Galactic mystery: Why massive stars struggle to form in the Milky Way’s center Read More »
For the first time in history, we re seeing the Sun from an angle no one ever has: from above and below its poles. Thanks to the European Space Agency s Solar Orbiter and its tilted orbit, scientists have captured groundbreaking images and data that are unlocking mysteries about the Sun s magnetic field, its …
Magnetic mayhem at the sun’s poles: First images reveal a fiery mystery Read More »
Beneath the Afar region in Ethiopia, scientists have discovered pulsing waves of molten rock rising from deep within the Earth — a geological heartbeat that could eventually split Africa in two. These rhythmic surges of mantle material are helping to stretch and thin the continent’s crust, setting the stage for a new ocean to form …
A giant pulse beneath Africa could split the continent — and form an ocean Read More »
An analysis of the provenance of the Matarrubilla stone, a large megalith at Valencina in Spain, indicates that the monument’s builders must have had advanced seafaring technology An analysis of the provenance of the Matarrubilla stone, a large megalith at Valencina in Spain, indicates that the monument’s builders must have had advanced seafaring technology An analysis …
Prehistoric Spanish people transported 2-tonne stone by boat Read More »
Beware the tech leaders making grandiose statements about artificial intelligence. They have lost sight of reality, says Philip Ball Beware the tech leaders making grandiose statements about artificial intelligence. They have lost sight of reality, says Philip Ball Beware the tech leaders making grandiose statements about artificial intelligence. They have lost sight of reality, says Philip …
The dangers of so-called AI experts believing their own hype Read More »
An object from another star has been seen entering the solar system at high speed, and is expected to whip around the sun in the coming months An object from another star has been seen entering the solar system at high speed, and is expected to whip around the sun in the coming months An object …
Interstellar comet hurtling through solar system named 3I/ATLAS Read More »
How can you guarantee a huge payout from any lottery? Take a cue from combinatorics, and perhaps gather a few wealthy pals, says Jacob Aron How can you guarantee a huge payout from any lottery? Take a cue from combinatorics, and perhaps gather a few wealthy pals, says Jacob Aron How can you guarantee a huge …
The foolproof way to win any lottery, according to maths Read More »
Light exposure at night may disrupt our body’s internal clocks, or circadian rhythms, that keep physiological processes ticking along Light exposure at night may disrupt our body’s internal clocks, or circadian rhythms, that keep physiological processes ticking along Light exposure at night may disrupt our body’s internal clocks, or circadian rhythms, that keep physiological processes ticking …
Nighttime light exposure linked to heart disease in largest study yet Read More »