Neanderthals passed on a gene that helps modern humans pack on more muscle — but only a few people have it
Tens of thousands of years ago, Neanderthals mated with modern humans and passed along a gene variant that enables us to pack on more muscle
Category: Science
New AI chip mimics the human brain’s capacity for split-second motor control — it solved problems using 10,000 times fewer calculations
Scientists have developed a new type of artificial intelligence (AI) chip that mimics the human brain’s aptitude for instinctive motor responses. Modeled after the cerebellum
Genetics triggers male black widows to blackflip into death, study finds
A wild widow spider behavior involving a backflip into death during sex has a simple genetic explanation, new research finds. Male redback spiders (Latrodectus hasselti)
Astronomers created the largest-ever 2D map of the universe, charting 4 billion objects in the night sky
The largest 2D map of the universe just dropped, and it’s a stunner. Compiled from more than a decade of observations, the new map charts
A solar eclipse will be visible in North America tomorrow: How to watch in person and online
On Wednesday (Aug. 12), the new moon will swoop in front of the sun, casting its dark shadow across a stretch of Earth from Iceland
Lion Nebula Roars in Webb’s Sights
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope imaged the planetary nebula NGC 2392, the Lion Nebula, using the observatory’s NIRCam and MIRI instruments. The central star’s remains
Bamboo toilet paper intrigued me. Reality turned out to be messy
What makes a greener wipe? Researchers have more to say about bamboo’s ecological risks, given limited carbon footprint data.
The largest known galaxy is wider than 17 Milky Ways
Scientists have identified the edge of galaxy IC 1101 and crowned it with the title of largest known galaxy.
What the US could learn from Japan’s incentive for responsible antibiotic use
‘A silent pandemic’: How Japan is curbing antibiotic resistance, $5 at a time This is the fifth and final story in a series about antibiotic
‘Like a jail door slamming’: Male sperm whales’ mysterious rhythmic clanging is the loudest communication sound of any animal
Sperm whales make the loudest communication sound of any animal on Earth, researchers find — but they aren’t sure why. In a new study, researchers
Explosive ‘Mountain of God’ spits out the fastest-flowing lava on Earth — Earth from space
QUICK FACTS Where is it? Ol Doinyo Lengai, Tanzania [-2.7734503796, 35.91519798] What’s in the photo? The lava-stained slopes and ash cone of a highly active
FDA’s approval of new mRNA vaccine does not necessarily signal the government’s embrace of the technology, experts say
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the first mRNA vaccine for seasonal influenza , bringing a bumpy approval process to a close.
Sad or afraid? Dogs may be able to read your face
A new brain-imaging study suggests that dogs may be able to distinguish between certain negative human emotions just by looking at people’s faces.
NASA Astronaut Jessica Meir Uses VR Goggles
NASA astronaut and Expedition 75 commander Jessica Meir wears a set of virtual reality goggles, also called the Nevada Screening Vision System, for a test