Category: Science

New research has revealed that spiders use specialised hairs on their legs to detect airborne scents, offering fresh insights into the sensory abilities of these arachnids. This discovery has resolved a long-standing question about how spiders, which lack antennae like insects, can identify odours such as pheromones. Male spiders were observed using olfactory hairs, known […]

Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often termed “forever chemicals,” is raising concerns over its impact on wildlife health. Recent research has uncovered significant health problems in freshwater turtles in Australia exposed to PFAS. These issues are not limited to adult turtles but extend to their hatchlings. PFAS, widely known for their persistence in […]

The next full Moon, known as the Wolf Moon, will occur on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 5:27 p.m. EST, illuminating the night sky for observers worldwide. This celestial event marks the first full Moon of the year and holds significance in various cultural and astronomical traditions. Visible for three days, from January 12 to […]

Recent findings have challenged the traditional understanding of Jupiter‘s clouds, showing they are not primarily composed of ammonia ice. Instead, it has been discovered that the clouds are formed from ammonium hydrosulfide mixed with photochemical materials. This revelation, achieved through a collaboration of professional and amateur astronomers, sheds new light on the composition and dynamics […]

Antarctica’s melting ice sheet, driven by global climate change, could potentially awaken over 100 hidden volcanoes buried beneath its surface. The phenomenon, linked to the reduction of pressure on magma chambers as ice melts, has been associated with increased volcanic activity in other regions. Scientists suggest that as the Antarctic Ice Sheet continues to thin, […]

A comprehensive analysis of the NGC 5018 galaxy group has been conducted, shedding light on its globular cluster (GC) system. Using data from the VLT Survey Telescope (VST), researchers studied this galaxy group, located approximately 132.5 million light years away in the Virgo constellation. The investigation revealed vital details about the clusters’ distribution and interactions […]

SpaceX’s Starship is set to conduct its seventh flight test, marking another step in the company’s push for fully reusable space launch systems. The test is scheduled for January 10 at 3:30 a.m. IST from SpaceX’s Starbase Orbital Launch Pad A in Boca Chica, Texas. The 97-minute launch window extends until 5:07 a.m. IST, with […]

A detailed analysis of Yemeni genomes has shed light on ancient migration patterns, uncovering genetic influences from the Levant, Arabia, and East Africa. The research indicates that Yemen’s geographic location as a historical crossroads has shaped its modern genetic makeup. Maternal DNA has highlighted significant East African ancestry, while paternal DNA has linked Yemeni populations […]

A new theory has emerged to explain how Pluto may have captured its largest moon, Charon, billions of years ago through a unique “kiss-and-capture” collision. The process, proposed by researchers, suggests that two icy bodies in the Kuiper Belt collided, briefly merged into a spinning “cosmic snowman,” and then separated to form the Pluto-Charon system. […]

A 2,300-year-old marble statuette discovered in Alexandria, Egypt, has offered new insights into how dwarves were perceived during the Ptolemaic period (332–150 B.C.). Depicting a muscular, nude dwarf in motion, the 4-inch sculpture reflects a combination of Egyptian and Greek artistic traditions. Despite missing its arms, legs, and part of the head, the craftsmanship of […]

The surface temperature of the moon experiences extreme variations, making it one of the harshest environments in the solar system. During lunar daylight, temperatures can soar to over 100 degrees Celsius, while in darkness, they can plummet to minus 100 degrees Celsius. These fluctuations are caused by the absence of an atmosphere, which on Earth […]

The first Starlink mission of 2025 was successfully launched by SpaceX from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on January 6, 2025, at 2:13 a.m. IST. A Falcon 9 rocket carried 24 Starlink satellites into orbit, aiming to expand SpaceX’s vast satellite internet network. The launch marked another significant step in SpaceX’s efforts to enhance […]

India’s Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has postponed its first-ever attempt at space docking mission to January 9, 2025, citing the need for additional validation. The mission, known as the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), involves the automated docking of two satellites in low Earth orbit. Originally scheduled for January 07, 2024, ISRO said that the delay […]

The ancient Rujm el-Hiri site, situated in the Golan Heights and often referred to as the “Wheel of Ghosts,” has been re-evaluated, with its long-standing identification as an astronomical observatory coming under scrutiny. Researchers have determined that geodynamic changes over millions of years have altered the site’s orientation, raising questions about its original purpose. These […]

A breakthrough has been reported in particle physics, focusing on hypernuclei—rare atomic systems that form through the inclusion of hyperons, particles containing at least one “strange” quark. Unlike the ordinary nuclei of atoms made of protons and neutrons, hypernuclei exhibit unique properties that may offer insights into subatomic forces and the extreme conditions present in […]

The mechanics of hula hooping have been analysed by researchers, uncovering how body shapes and motions influence the ability to keep a hoop spinning against gravity. Insights from the study have raised intriguing questions about body dynamics, energy efficiency, and potential engineering applications. The findings, based on experiments and mathematical modelling, offer new perspectives on […]

Fossil remains of ancient aquatic reptiles, known as mesosaurs, have been unearthed in Uruguay, pointing to the existence of specimens that far exceed previously recorded sizes. The fossils, which include skull fragments and associated bones, indicate that some mature mesosaurs may have grown to over twice the size of earlier documented adults. This revelation provides […]

Twins, often considered extraordinary in modern human history, have held significant cultural and symbolic meanings across societies. While they are rare today, with only about 3 percent of live births involving twins, a deeper look into evolutionary history reveals a surprising pattern. Research suggests that twin births were once the standard for ancient primates. This […]

Blue Origin is gearing up for the inaugural launch of its heavy-lift New Glenn rocket, marking a significant step forward for the company in the competitive space industry. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an alert indicating that the launch window will open on Monday, January 6, from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station […]

L’Oréal on Monday unveiled a new device called L’Oréal Cell BioPrint, which is designed to use a non-invasive approach to provide personalised skin analysis within a few minutes. The company claims that the Cell BioPrint can tell users the biological age of their skin, predict how some active ingredients will work with their skin, and […]

A major milestone was achieved by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) when cowpea seeds sent aboard the PSLV-C60 POEM-4 platform germinated under microgravity conditions within just four days of the mission’s launch. The experiment, part of efforts to study plant growth in space, is seen as a key step in understanding sustainable agricultural practices […]

NASA is set to provide an update on its Mars Sample Return (MSR) program during an audio-only press conference on January 7 at 1:00 p.m. EST. The program, which aims to bring samples from Mars to Earth for detailed scientific study, has faced challenges related to cost and timeline, with estimates suggesting a potential expenditure […]

A study has explored the techniques used by chimpanzees to select stone tools for cracking nuts, revealing possible similarities to methods employed by ancient human ancestors. Researchers observed that chimpanzees, like early hominins, exhibited a deliberate process in choosing stones based on specific properties rather than appearance. This insight has prompted discussions about parallels in […]

A volcanic eruption in A.D. 536 and subsequent climatic disruptions have been cited as pivotal moments in history, as per reports. While often characterised as catastrophic, these events have been reexamined, with findings indicating that the eastern Roman Empire, contrary to earlier claims, experienced growth in population and trade during this period. This conclusion challenges […]

A novel crystal-based technology has been identified as a potential solution for sustainable cooling systems. Current refrigeration and air conditioning devices rely on liquid-based systems to absorb heat through evaporation and condensation. While effective, these fluids contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions when leaked, intensifying global warming. Efforts to counteract this environmental impact have led […]

The study of the Sun and its influence on the solar system is expected to make significant strides in 2025. The year will bring new developments driven by an active solar cycle, upcoming spacecraft missions, and a strategic roadmap for the next decade. Researchers are focused on unlocking key mysteries of the sun, whose activity […]

Organic carbon preservation in ocean sediments, a phenomenon critical to the Earth’s carbon cycle, has been illuminated by new research. The study explores mechanisms that prevent organic carbon from breaking down, a process vital for climate regulation. Preserved carbon, over time, can transform into fossil fuels, locking away carbon dioxide—a leading contributor to climate change. […]

Seasonal variations in Lake Mendota in Wisconsin, US, appear to drive rapid evolutionary changes in bacterial species, as revealed through a long-term genetic study. Bacteria within the lake adapt to changing environmental conditions, with species undergoing significant genetic shifts over time. Despite these changes, many bacteria return to nearly identical genetic states each year, creating […]

The first confirmed case of a female burial with weapons from the 10th century in the Carpathian Basin, Hungary, has been uncovered. Skeletal remains and grave goods, including weaponry, were identified at the Sárrétudvari-Hízóföld cemetery. This discovery, described by experts, challenges prior assumptions about societal roles during the Hungarian Conquest period, a time marked by […]

Physicists are finalising the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), a facility designed to unravel the mysteries surrounding neutrinos, subatomic particles with no electric charge and minimal mass. Scheduled to commence data collection in summer 2025, the observatory aims to identify the heaviest among the three neutrino types. Situated 700 metres beneath the ground in China, […]