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Grass burned for magic: 25,000-year-old cave reveals ancient rituals
In Cloggs Cave, archaeologists have discovered evidence of ancient GunaiKurnai grass burning rituals that spanned 25,000 years. The findings, which include microscopic plant remnants, ash layers, and a remarkable standing stone, shed light on the deep-rooted spiritual connection that these ancient communities fostered with nature. This enduring practice highlights the intricate relationship between the environment and their spiritual ceremonial activities.
Scientists find 3 unknown stomach bacteria in elusive pygmy sperm whale
Researchers discovered three new stomach bacteria in pygmy sperm whales. This finding offers insights into the health of these elusive marine mammals. Scientists examined over two decades of stranded whales along Florida's coast. The newly identified bacteria are Helicobacter strains, previously unknown to science. This research expands knowledge of marine microbiology and whale health.
NVIDIA Open Sources First GPU-Accelerated Medical Physics Simulation Framework
Before a healthcare robot can be useful in the real world, it has to learn how the physical world pushes back. Anatomy varies. Instruments bend, press, slip and interact with tissue. Imaging can be noisy or incomplete. And the rare, edge scenarios developers most need to understand don’t appear on schedule. That creates one of the biggest bottlenecks in healthcare robotics: obtaining the enormous amount of varied data developers need to train, test and improve robot behavior. NVIDIA Medical Ph...
Robot bird swims underwater then flies away
Watching a diving bird vanish beneath the water can feel almost unreal. One moment it cruises through the sky. Seconds later, it swims after prey before returning to the air. Around 100 bird species can move between those two environments. Engineers have found that natural ability incredibly difficult to recreate at a small scale.Now, researchers at MIT and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, known as EPFL, have built a robotic bird that can complete the entire journey. The 8.8-o...
Scientists spread crushed volcanic rock on farms to remove carbon from air
Crushed volcanic rock spread on farms accelerates natural carbon capture processes. This method converts atmospheric carbon dioxide into stable bicarbonate ions for storage. Basalt also releases essential nutrients, improving soil health and crop yields. Field experiments show potential for significant carbon removal alongside agricultural benefits. Ongoing research aims to verify effectiveness and integrate farms into carbon removal strategies.
Cameras on whale sharks reveal how the world’s biggest fish hunts
New findings have shown that whale sharks are capable of diving deeper than seventy meters when hunting for food. These majestic giants use a variety of feeding strategies, moving beyond just grazing at the surface. Remarkable underwater footage captured via cameras attached to the sharks highlights their feeding dynamics, showcasing low-energy grazing alongside energetic krill chases. This study enhances our grasp of their intricate foraging patterns.
Peptides get their regulatory closeup
A panel of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration will meet this week to make recommendations on whether specialized pharmacies should be allowed to make some popular wellness peptides.(Image credit: Javier Arciga)
Giant Antarctic glacier is melting from below. Can an 80km curtain stop it?
In an exciting scientific endeavor, researchers are exploring the idea of constructing a massive underwater curtain to defend Thwaites Glacier against warm ocean currents. This strategic barrier is intended to redirect these warmer waters, aiming to curb the glacier's swift melting. A recent expedition gathered vital information from the Amundsen Sea to determine the project's feasibility, while additional studies in Svalbard focus on understanding the environmental ramifications of the barrier.
Why scientists kill 9 million sea lampreys every year in the Great Lakes
Invasive sea lampreys, or vampire fish, pose a serious threat to the native fish communities of the Great Lakes. These destructive predators made their way in through canals and now voraciously consume vast amounts of fish annually. Since 1957, the application of TFM has been a cornerstone in eradicating lamprey larvae. However, interruptions in management efforts have caused significant rebounds in lamprey numbers.
Great Apes kiss and cuddle to keep the peace, says study
Great Apes kiss and cuddle to keep the peace, says studyImage source, Jake Brooker / Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage TrustImage caption, Embrace between Little Jake and Little Joey, two juvenile male chimpanzees in a forested sanctuaryByHelen BriggsScience correspondentPublished4 minutes agoTouching, embracing and kissing before stressful events may be an ancient way of building trust, according to scientists studying the behaviour of our closest ape relatives.Researchers at Durham University stud...
Slack messages released by Rand Paul appear to show authors of key COVID-19 origin paper held private doubts
Newly released messages among the authors of a widely cited paper regarding the origins of COVID-19 privately raised doubts that the virus originated from bats, as their paper stated.Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., on Tuesday released the internal Slack messages exchanged among the authors of "The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2" — Kristian Andersen, Robert Garry, Eddie Holmes and Andrew Rambaut."The idea that it came from lab is implausible and yet privately they're saying the opposite is this level of di...
Scientists hear bird sounds coming from panels of floating Solar Farm in Netherlands
Floating solar farms in the Netherlands may be supporting local wildlife. Researchers observed bird sounds suggesting possible nesting under the solar panels. Underwater shelters installed beneath the panels attracted hundreds of fish and thousands of aquatic creatures. These structures developed into small ecosystems supporting life higher up the food chain. The findings suggest carefully designed farms could create new habitats for wildlife.
Bee brains reveal how colonies coordinate without a central controller
Honeybee colonies organise work without any leader assigning tasks, but scientists have now discovered that specific brain circuits help control this process. By changing the activity of a gene-linked neural circuit, researchers made older worker bees return to caring for the queen, a job usually done only by younger bees. The findings offer new insight into how bees coordinate complex social behaviour.
Inside NASA astronaut selection: Testing, interviews and who can apply
The selection process for astronauts at NASA is rigorous and far more demanding than academic qualifications alone. Candidates undergo psychological testing and participate in team-based simulations that are designed to push them to their limits. Psychologists purposefully create high-pressure situations to gauge how well candidates maintain composure and teamwork. This comprehensive method ensures that only the most adaptable individuals are chosen for space missions.
Milky Way flipped in collision with dwarf galaxy 10bn years ago, astronomers say
Durham University researchers find cataclysmic direct hit with Gaia Sausage sent Milky Way into its current positionAstronomers have found evidence that the Milky Way was flipped on its side following a direct hit from a wayward galaxy long before the solar system was born.The cataclysmic collision took place about 10bn years ago when the Milky Way was struck head-on by an incoming dwarf galaxy known – for purely astronomical reasons – as the Gaia Sausage. Continue reading...
Startling mystery revealed in centuries-old royal tombs at powerful queen's monastery
When researchers in Barcelona recently opened centuries-old royal tombs, they uncovered a startling mystery: Several contained the wrong people.The exhumations took place at the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes in Barcelona, Spain, a nearly 700-year-old Gothic monastery founded by Queen Elisenda of Montcada.The wife of King James II of Aragon, Elisenda founded the monastery in 1326 — and to mark its 700th anniversary, researchers wrapped up a multidisciplinary investigation into its m...
Can Pithoragarh’s bn-yr-old fossils help it become India’s first Unesco Global Geopark?
Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand has revealed ancient stromatolite fossil colonies. These fossils represent some of Earth's earliest known evidence of life. Researchers found similar geological formations in nearby areas, suggesting regional significance. UNESCO Global Geoparks recognize significant geological sites for conservation and development. India currently lacks a UNESCO Global Geopark, with Pithoragarh as a strong contender.
'Hello space, we've arrived': How Vikram-1 spells India's 'Aagaman' in elite club
We’ll be watching this ignition on loop all day.Kalam-1200 — Vikram-1's first stage, named for Dr. A.P.J.
Native Australian grass used for millennia reveals unusual chromosome secret
Channel millet, a native grass, possesses twelve chromosome copies, a trait linked to domestication. Mithaka people utilized this grain for millennia, demonstrating sophisticated ecological knowledge. This desert plant thrives in Channel Country's extreme boom-and-bust cycles. Its genetic makeup suggests resilience, offering potential for future climate-resilient crops. Ancient Aboriginal practices shaped native grains, revealing hidden strengths for modern food systems.
Texas releases 3M eggs to revive extinct Houston toad — first male spotted 50 yrs later
We often forget that our present and future are shaped by the past and sometimes the reflection of the past surprises the present in a unique way. If you think that only happens with humans, read this information to be amazed.