From viruses to elephants, nature thrives on tiled patterns
A compilation of 100 examples of biological tilings shows how repeated natural motifs enhance strength, flexibility and other key functions.
Category: Science
Stunningly preserved Roman-era mosaic in UK depicts Trojan War stories — but not the ones told by Homer
A newfound mosaic draws inspiration from “Phrygians,” a play by the Athenian playwright Aeschylus that survives only in bits and pieces.
Mysterious X-ray signal from deep space may be the scream of a star ripped apart by two black holes
A strange X-ray signal spotted decades ago may be the result of a star that got attacked by two black holes, one after the other.
Diagnostic dilemma: Man caught rabies from organ transplant after donor was scratched by skunk
A Michigan man died of rabies despite having no recent exposure to a potentially infected animal.
Bats might be the next bird flu wild card
Finding that vampire bats along Peru’s coast carried H5N1 antibodies raises concerns that multiple bat species could become reservoirs for the virus.
Neandertals mastered fire-making tools 400,000 years ago
Archaeologists found flint, iron pyrite to strike it and sediments where a fire was probably built several times at an ancient site in England.
What to know about death cap mushrooms, blamed for poisonings in California
Death cap mushrooms look harmless, but are responsible for the majority of the world’s mushroom-related deaths. California officials say 21 people have been sickened in
Amazon rainforest is transitioning to a ‘hypertropical’ climate — and trees won’t survive that for long
The Amazon rainforest currently has a few days or weeks of hot drought conditions per year, but researchers say this could increase to 150 days
‘It is the most exciting discovery in my 40-year career’: Archaeologists uncover evidence that Neanderthals made fire 400,000 years ago in England
Archaeologists have found the earliest evidence yet of fire technology — and it was created by Neanderthals in England more than 400,000 years ago.
Scientists create new solid-state sodium-ion battery — they say it’ll make EVs cheaper and safer
A new sodium-ion battery offers a cheaper and safer alternative to conventional lithium-ion systems, scientists say, paving the way for more sustainable EVs.
Sprites Over Château de Beynac
A flash of lightning, and then—something else. High above a storm, a crimson figure blinks in and out of existence. If you see it, you
Cryptographers Show That AI Protections Will Always Have Holes
Ask ChatGPT how to build a bomb, and it will flatly respond that it “can’t help with that.” But users have long played a cat-and-mouse
Russia’s Bezymianny volcano blew itself apart 69 years ago. It’s now almost completely regrown.
A 1956 eruption collapsed much of the Bezymianny volcano in Kamchatka, Russia, but frequent eruptions since — including a large event in November — means
The 17 best fitness gifts to buy for gym lovers, hand-picked by a personal trainer
Need some last-minute gift ideas for a fitness enthusiast? We have your back.