Science

The Greater Short-Horned Lizard, scientifically known as Phrynosoma hernandesi, is a remarkable reptile found across North and Central America. This unique lizard has earned the nickname “horny toad” due to its flattened body shape and distinctive spiky horns, which give it an appearance more akin to amphibians than traditional reptiles. Typically measuring around 6 inches

Recent research has led to a new understanding of our galaxy’s position within the universe. A fresh study suggests that the Milky Way may reside in a much larger “basin of attraction” than previously assumed. This discovery challenges what we know about our galactic surroundings, revealing that the supercluster which houses the Milky Way could

A new humanoid robot from China has set a record by running at a top speed of just over 8 miles per hour (3.6 metres per second). This makes it the fastest bipedal robot to date, although this feat was only achieved with the help of a pair of specially added trainers. Known as STAR1,

Injecting diamond dust into the atmosphere could potentially cool the planet by 1.6ºC, according to a recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters. Led by Sandro Vattioni, a climate scientist at ETH Zürich, the research explores whether diamonds, as opposed to commonly used materials like sulfur, could offer a safer and more effective method for

A recent breakthrough by researchers at the German Primate Center, led by Andres Agudelo-Toro, a scientist in the Neurobiology Laboratory, has significantly advanced the field of brain-computer interfaces. The study, conducted with rhesus monkeys, has resulted in a training protocol that enables precise control of prosthetic hands purely through brain signals. This novel approach focuses

Scientists have introduced a new method to search for interplanetary radio signals between planets in distant star systems, particularly when one planet moves in front of another from Earth‘s perspective—known as planet-planet occultations (PPOs). A team from Penn State, along with researchers from the SETI Institute, applied this technique to the TRAPPIST-1 system, located about

NASA and NOAA have confirmed that the Sun has entered its solar maximum phase, the most active part of its 11-year cycle. During this period, the Sun becomes more volatile, and an increase in solar storms and activity can have various effects on Earth and space. Solar maximum marks a peak in sunspot numbers, leading

Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its rock-cut architecture, with the Treasury, or Al-Khazneh, being one of its most iconic structures. This newly discovered tomb adds another layer to the city’s already rich historical narrative. Archaeologists discovered several artefacts inside the tomb, including pottery, jewellery, and a ceramic chalice. These items helped

On October 13, 2024, SpaceX launched its Starship vehicle from South Texas. This mission is particularly notable for successfully capturing its Super Heavy booster at the launch site, marking a significant achievement in aerospace technology. The successful launch and recovery illustrate SpaceX’s commitment to advancing reusable rocket technology, which is vital for reducing costs and

Recent research indicates that individuals with type A blood may have a higher likelihood of experiencing a stroke before the age of 60 compared to those with different blood types. Blood types are determined by specific chemicals found on the surfaces of red blood cells, with the main types being A, B, AB, and O.

In recent years, injectable medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have emerged as powerful tools for weight loss and managing blood sugar levels. These drugs, which act as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have garnered significant attention, leading to soaring sales and becoming billion-dollar products. However, their high costs, typically ranging from £800 to £1,000 per month,

Blue Origin‘s latest attempt to launch its second human-rated New Shepard rocket, designated NS-27, has been delayed due to a GPS malfunction. Originally scheduled for liftoff on October 13th at 9:27 AM EDT (6:57 PM GMT), the mission was intended to send a newly developed rocket-capsule combination into suborbital space. This setback follows a previous cancellation

NASA Europa Clipper mission, aiming to explore the icy moon Europa, one of Jupiter’s most intriguing satellites. Scientists believe that underneath this icy surface lies a vast ocean, which could provide the necessary conditions for life as we know it. The Europa Clipper spacecraft will undertake 49 flybys of Europa, using advanced instruments to study its

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has announced the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2024, recognising the significant contributions of three remarkable scientists. David Baker from the University of Washington and Howard Hughes Medical Institute has been awarded one half of the prize for his pioneering work in computational protein design. The other half is

New research has uncovered how the brain organises daily experiences into meaningful segments, much like scenes in a film. While we perceive life as a continuous flow, our brains automatically break memories into distinct moments. Scientists have long debated whether these boundaries are set by environmental changes or if they are determined by personal interpretation.

A powerful solar storm is predicted to reach Earth on Thursday, 10th October, according to forecasters from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The storm could generate stunning auroras and affect radio communications, power grids, and satellites. NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Centre (SWPC) has issued a G4-class geomagnetic storm warning, the second-highest level

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and New Horizons spacecraft have joined forces to observe Uranus, a planet known for its mysterious atmosphere. Hubble, from its position in low-Earth orbit, captured detailed images of Uranus‘ atmosphere, including clouds and storms, while New Horizons, located 6.5 billion miles away, observed the planet as a small dot. These combined

NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick recently shared a breathtaking timelapse video featuring vivid red and green auroras from space. The mesmerising footage was captured aboard the Dragon Endeavor spacecraft on 8 October, as it orbited the Earth. These natural light displays, known as auroras, occur due to solar activity interacting with Earth’s atmosphere, creating stunning visuals

Hurricane Milton, which intensified from a tropical storm on Sunday to a Category 5 hurricane by Monday, is a prime example of how quickly hurricanes can escalate. With sustained winds reaching 180 mph (298 km/h), Milton weakened slightly before potentially making landfall on the Florida coast around 9th or 10th October 2024. This leads to

On 7th October 2024, an active sunspot, AR 3842, fired an X2.1-class solar flare, causing temporary radio blackouts across parts of North and South America and over the Pacific Ocean. This event followed another powerful flare from the same sunspot just days earlier. On 3rd October, AR 3842 unleashed the strongest solar flare of Solar