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Teotihuacan Altar Unearthed at Tikal Reveals a Violent Chapter in Maya History

2025-04-12

Teotihuacan Altar Unearthed at Tikal Reveals a Violent Chapter in Maya History

A recently unearthed altar at Tikal, the ancient Mayan city in Guatemala, is rewriting our understanding of a pivotal period in Mayan history. Dating back to the late 300s AD, the altar's artistic style strongly resembles that of Teotihuacan, a powerful civilization located hundreds of miles away in modern-day Mexico. Researchers believe skilled artisans from Teotihuacan created the altar, suggesting a significant level of Teotihuacan influence and control over Tikal. This discovery, along with previous findings like a replicated Teotihuacan citadel and unique burial practices, points to a forceful takeover and subsequent regime change, highlighting a violent and transformative chapter in Mayan civilization. The altar's discovery offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex and often contentious relationship between the two ancient empires.

(phys.org)

Tech Maya Civilization Teotihuacan

Webb Telescope: Asteroid's Odds of Hitting the Moon Rise to 4%

2025-04-08

Webb Telescope: Asteroid's Odds of Hitting the Moon Rise to 4%

An asteroid that was briefly feared to hit Earth now has a nearly 4% chance of impacting the moon, according to new data from the James Webb Space Telescope. The asteroid, roughly the size of a 15-story building, had a previously calculated 3.1% chance of hitting Earth, a record high. While the threat to Earth has been eliminated, scientists are excited about the potential lunar impact, as it offers a valuable opportunity to gather data for planetary defense. Webb's observations also revealed unique physical properties of the asteroid.

(phys.org)

Tech webb telescope lunar impact

First Real-Time Observation of Plant Cells Building Cell Walls

2025-04-05

First Real-Time Observation of Plant Cells Building Cell Walls

Rutgers University researchers have, for the first time, used advanced microscopy techniques to capture real-time images of living plant cells continuously building cell walls over 24 hours, showing the synthesis and assembly of cellulose, the main component of cell walls. This groundbreaking research reveals the dynamic mechanism of plant cell wall formation, offering crucial insights for improving crop yields, reducing biofuel costs, and developing new biomaterials. The findings are published in Science Advances.

(phys.org)

Tech plant cell wall cellulose microscopy

Solo Music Listening Boosts Social Well-being, Study Finds

2025-04-04

Solo Music Listening Boosts Social Well-being, Study Finds

Research from the University at Buffalo reveals that listening to music alone can act as a 'social surrogate,' improving social well-being. Two experiments demonstrated that listening to favorite music reduced feelings of loneliness and buffered against the negative effects of social exclusion. Unlike previous research focusing on music's social aspects in group settings, this study highlights the benefits of solo listening. It suggests music fosters connection with artists, immersion in the musical world, and reminders of others, fulfilling the fundamental human need for belonging.

(phys.org)

Misc music therapy social well-being

Revolutionary Meta-Grating Achieves Unprecedented Light Control

2025-04-03

Revolutionary Meta-Grating Achieves Unprecedented Light Control

Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed a novel meta-grating that boasts four times the light control efficiency of conventional gratings. This flat, metamaterial-based component, constructed from tiny meta-atoms, enables subwavelength precision control over light's phase, amplitude, and polarization, offering precise manipulation even at steep angles of incidence. This technology promises to miniaturize optical systems, simplify manufacturing, and find broad applications in cameras, sensors, augmented reality displays, medical imaging, robotics, and autonomous driving.

(phys.org)

Tech metamaterials

JWST Captures a Stunning Einstein Ring

2025-04-02

JWST Captures a Stunning Einstein Ring

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured a breathtaking image: a nearly perfect 'Einstein Ring'. This ring-like structure is caused by the gravitational lensing effect of a closer elliptical galaxy on a more distant spiral galaxy. Light from the farther galaxy is bent by the gravity of the nearer galaxy, creating an almost perfect circle. This phenomenon verifies Einstein's prediction of general relativity and showcases the power of modern telescopes, allowing us to peer into the depths of the universe and appreciate this cosmic artwork.

(phys.org)

Tech

AI Image Recognition Uncovers Cosmic Bubble Structures

2025-04-01

AI Image Recognition Uncovers Cosmic Bubble Structures

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a deep learning model that efficiently identifies previously uncataloged bubble-like structures in the Milky Way galaxy. Using data from the Spitzer and James Webb Space Telescopes, the AI model accurately detects 'Spitzer bubbles,' formed by high-mass star formation and crucial to understanding star formation and galaxy evolution. The model also identifies shell-like structures from supernova explosions, opening avenues for deeper investigations into stellar formation and the effects of explosive events within galaxies.

(phys.org)

Tech Galaxy Evolution

Unexpectedly Large Isospin Symmetry Violation Found at CERN

2025-03-31

Unexpectedly Large Isospin Symmetry Violation Found at CERN

Analysis of data from CERN's NA61/SHINE collaboration revealed a surprising anomaly: a significant imbalance between charged and neutral kaons produced in argon-scandium collisions. Charged kaons were produced 18.4% more frequently than neutral kaons, suggesting a much larger violation of isospin symmetry than predicted by existing models. This challenges our understanding of the strong interaction and quantum chromodynamics (QCD), opening avenues for further research into the role of electromagnetic interactions and quark behavior. The 4.7σ significance of the result demands further investigation and theoretical explanations.

(phys.org)

Tech Quark Isospin Symmetry

Ancient Hittite Texts Get a Digital Boost

2025-03-31

Ancient Hittite Texts Get a Digital Boost

The Thesaurus Linguarum Hethaeorum Digitalis (TLHdig), a digital tool providing access to ancient Hittite cuneiform texts, has received a major update. TLHdig 0.2 now includes over 98% of all published sources—approximately 22,000 XML text documents, comprising almost 400,000 transliterated lines. Researchers can search and filter texts in transliteration or cuneiform. Furthermore, an online submission pipeline allows scholars to contribute new texts, ensuring TLHdig remains a dynamic, constantly expanding resource for Hittitology research, including AI-driven approaches. The upcoming TLHdig 1.0 promises complete coverage of all published texts.

(phys.org)

Tech Hittite cuneiform

Preschoolers' Reasoning Skills Surprise Researchers

2025-03-28

Preschoolers' Reasoning Skills Surprise Researchers

A University of Montreal study reveals that preschoolers (ages 3-5) demonstrate surprisingly sophisticated reasoning skills when categorizing toys. They go beyond simple binary classification, creating multiple categories based on various criteria and even adjusting their criteria mid-task, showcasing complex mathematical reasoning. This challenges previous understandings of child cognitive development and offers new insights for early childhood education.

(phys.org)

Development mathematical reasoning

Your Mic Could Be Sabotaging Your Career: The Hidden Bias of Zoom Calls

2025-03-27

Your Mic Could Be Sabotaging Your Career: The Hidden Bias of Zoom Calls

A new Yale study reveals that a tinny-sounding microphone during video conferences can significantly impact how people perceive a speaker's intelligence, credibility, and attractiveness, even affecting job prospects. Researchers conducted experiments demonstrating that poor audio quality, independent of the message content, leads to negative judgments. This highlights a potential source of unconscious bias and discrimination, especially considering the correlation between microphone quality and socioeconomic status. The study emphasizes the importance of testing microphone quality before video interviews to avoid unintentional career setbacks.

(phys.org)

Misc microphone quality

Himalayan 'Sprite Fireworks': A Century's Most Impressive Red Sprite Outbreak

2025-03-27

Himalayan 'Sprite Fireworks': A Century's Most Impressive Red Sprite Outbreak

On May 19, 2022, astrophotographers captured an extraordinary display of over 100 red sprites above the Himalayas, including rare secondary jets and Asia's first recorded 'ghost sprites'. A study in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences reveals these sprites were triggered by powerful positive cloud-to-ground lightning within a massive storm system. This unprecedented event highlights the Himalayan region's capacity to generate intensely complex upper-atmospheric electrical discharges, rivaling those seen in the US Great Plains and offshore European storms. Innovative satellite and star field analysis was used to synchronize the video, enabling precise timing and linking sprites to their parent lightning strikes.

(phys.org)

Tech red sprites Himalayas atmospheric discharge

Northwestern Chemists Crack Plastic Recycling with Air and a Cheap Catalyst

2025-03-25

Northwestern Chemists Crack Plastic Recycling with Air and a Cheap Catalyst

Northwestern University chemists have developed a revolutionary method for breaking down PET plastic using only a cheap, non-toxic catalyst and the ambient moisture in the air. This solvent-free process breaks PET into its monomers, which can then be recycled into new PET products or upcycled into higher-value materials. The technique offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution to the global plastic waste problem, significantly improving upon current, often energy-intensive and polluting methods.

(phys.org)

Tech catalyst

600 Million Years of Shared Stress Response in Algae and Plants

2025-03-24

600 Million Years of Shared Stress Response in Algae and Plants

A University of Göttingen-led study reveals a surprising shared stress response network between algae and plants dating back 600 million years. Researchers compared gene expression and compound production in moss and two types of algae under environmental stress, identifying a common gene regulatory network. This discovery sheds light on key mechanisms of plant adaptation to land and offers new insights into plant evolution.

(phys.org)

Tech plant evolution environmental stress gene regulation

Surprisingly Stable: Dyson Spheres and Ringworlds in Binary Systems

2025-03-22

Surprisingly Stable: Dyson Spheres and Ringworlds in Binary Systems

Science fiction staples, Dyson spheres and ringworlds, are typically considered gravitationally unstable and prone to collapse. However, a new study from Colin McInnes at the University of Glasgow reveals that specific configurations of these megastructures near a binary star system can, in fact, be stable. McInnes identified seven equilibrium points around a binary system where a ring structure could maintain stability. This research has significant implications for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), potentially guiding future surveys to look for bright stars orbiting with objects exhibiting strong infrared excesses—a potential technosignature indicating such megastructures.

(phys.org)

Tech Dyson Sphere Ringworld Gravitational Stability

First High-Def Moon Sunset Photos Captured by Private Lander

2025-03-22

First High-Def Moon Sunset Photos Captured by Private Lander

Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lunar lander has captured the first high-definition images of a sunset on the moon, including a shot with Venus in the distance. The first private spacecraft to land upright and complete its entire mission, Blue Ghost collected science data for five hours into the lunar night before succumbing to lack of solar power. One image shows a unique horizon glow, possibly related to a theory about levitating dust proposed decades ago. While the lander's drill didn't reach its planned depth, NASA considers the mission a success. Attempts to reactivate the lander are planned for early April, though success is unlikely.

(phys.org)

Tech Moon Sunset Private Spacecraft

AI Cracks Ancient Babylonian Texts: Uncovering New Chapters of the Epic of Gilgamesh

2025-03-21

AI Cracks Ancient Babylonian Texts: Uncovering New Chapters of the Epic of Gilgamesh

Professor Enrique Jiménez and his team at LMU Munich are using AI to digitize surviving cuneiform tablets. Their project, Fragmentarium, has processed 22,000 fragments, using algorithms to match pieces and identify hundreds of new manuscripts and textual connections. Remarkably, it unearthed a fragment of the Gilgamesh epic dating to 130 BC. Soon to be publicly released, the project will offer a digital version of all known cuneiform fragments, including a new edition of the Epic of Gilgamesh incorporating all known transcriptions. This groundbreaking resource promises to unlock a deeper understanding of ancient Babylonian literature and culture.

(phys.org)

Tech

LED Efficiency Surpasses 100%: A Low-Voltage Breakthrough

2025-03-20

LED Efficiency Surpasses 100%: A Low-Voltage Breakthrough

MIT researchers have demonstrated, for the first time, an LED that emits more optical power than it consumes, achieving an efficiency of 230%. The key is drastically reducing the applied voltage to 30 picowatts, where LED efficiency increases as output power decreases. While currently limited to low-power, dim LEDs, this breakthrough leverages excess heat from atomic lattice vibrations, opening new avenues for highly efficient electromagnetic communication and novel solid-state cooling technologies. It challenges the conventional understanding of LED efficiency being inversely proportional to brightness.

(phys.org)

Tech low voltage

Deep-Sea 'Dark Oxygen' Discovery Sparks Scientific Debate

2025-03-20

Deep-Sea 'Dark Oxygen' Discovery Sparks Scientific Debate

A study suggesting that polymetallic nodules on the deep ocean floor may produce 'dark oxygen' through electrolysis has ignited a fierce scientific debate. This challenges the established view that photosynthesis was the primary source of early Earth's oxygen. The discovery has implications for theories on the origin of life and the burgeoning deep-sea mining industry. However, many scientists are skeptical, citing potential methodological flaws and suggesting alternative explanations for the observed oxygen. Further research is needed to validate or refute this controversial finding.

(phys.org)

Tech deep sea mining dark oxygen

Genomic Study Suggests Human Language Capacity Emerged 135,000 Years Ago

2025-03-17

Genomic Study Suggests Human Language Capacity Emerged 135,000 Years Ago

A new genomic study suggests that our unique capacity for language was present at least 135,000 years ago. Researchers analyzed 15 genetic studies and found that early human populations began diverging geographically around 135,000 years ago, indicating the presence of language capacity at that time. Around 100,000 years ago, language entered widespread social use, coinciding with archaeological evidence of symbolic activity such as markings on objects and the use of ochre. This research provides a new perspective on the origins of human language and prompts further exploration of the relationship between language, human cognition, and social development.

(phys.org)

Tech language origins

Tinshemet Cave: Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens Shared Culture

2025-03-15

Tinshemet Cave: Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens Shared Culture

New research from Tinshemet Cave in Israel reveals a surprising level of interaction between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens during the Middle Paleolithic. The findings, published in Nature Human Behavior, show evidence of shared technologies, lifestyles, and even burial customs. These interactions fostered cultural exchange and led to innovations such as formal burial practices and the symbolic use of ochre. This challenges previous assumptions about competition and highlights the Levant as a crucial hub for early human interaction and cultural development.

(phys.org)

Tech Homo Sapiens Cultural Exchange

Microlightning: A New Hypothesis for the Origin of Life

2025-03-15

Microlightning: A New Hypothesis for the Origin of Life

Challenging the established Miller-Urey experiment, Stanford University research suggests that 'microlightning' discharges between water droplets from splashing waves or waterfalls on early Earth, rather than large lightning strikes, may have been the key to life's origin. The study found that the small electrical charges produced by water spray were sufficient to trigger chemical reactions in a mixture of gases—nitrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, and ammonia—thought to be present on early Earth, resulting in the formation of organic molecules including uracil, a building block of life. This offers a new perspective on abiogenesis, addressing criticisms of the Miller-Urey hypothesis concerning the infrequency of large lightning strikes and the vastness of the ocean.

(phys.org)

Tech microlightning Miller-Urey experiment

Tiny Gene Timing Tweaks Lead to Big Eye Size Differences in Fruit Flies

2025-03-13

Tiny Gene Timing Tweaks Lead to Big Eye Size Differences in Fruit Flies

A new study reveals that minute changes in the timing of a single gene's expression can dramatically alter fruit fly eye size. Researchers compared two closely related fruit fly species, Drosophila mauritiana and Drosophila simulans, finding that subtle differences in the timing of the orthodenticle (otd) gene's expression led to significant variations in the size of ommatidia, the individual units composing the compound eye. Earlier otd expression in D. mauritiana resulted in larger ommatidia and overall larger eyes. This research offers valuable insight into the mechanisms driving organ size evolution.

(phys.org)

Tech gene expression fruit flies eye development

Supercomputer Maps Molecular Blueprint for Repairing Damaged DNA

2025-03-13

Supercomputer Maps Molecular Blueprint for Repairing Damaged DNA

Scientists used the Summit supercomputer to simulate the pre-incision complex (PInC), a critical component in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway. NER is a complex molecular mechanism that repairs damaged DNA in three stages: recognition, verification, and repair. Each stage involves different protein complexes. Researchers built a 3D model of PInC using various biophysical techniques and AlphaFold2 for structure prediction, and then used molecular dynamics simulations to reveal its dynamic properties and functional mechanisms. This research sheds light on genetic disorders related to NER, such as xeroderma pigmentosum and Cockayne syndrome, and provides crucial insights for developing novel treatments.

(phys.org)

Tech DNA repair molecular dynamics simulation

Deep-Sea Bacterial Teamwork: Unlocking the Secrets of Efficient Organic Matter Degradation

2025-03-12

Deep-Sea Bacterial Teamwork: Unlocking the Secrets of Efficient Organic Matter Degradation

Researchers from the University of Oldenburg, Germany, have discovered that a family of bacteria called Desulfobacteraceae are globally distributed in marine environments, efficiently breaking down diverse organic matter via a modular metabolic system and playing a crucial role in the global carbon cycle. These bacteria thrive in anaerobic conditions, using sulfate for respiration, and while less efficient than aerobic bacteria, their vast numbers and collaborative efforts make them dominant in organic matter decomposition in marine sediments. Analysis of their proteome and genome revealed the molecular mechanisms behind their efficient degradation, highlighting their potentially increasing importance under future climate change scenarios.

(phys.org)

Tech carbon cycle

Mars' Middle Atmosphere: Gravity Waves Reign Supreme

2025-03-11

Mars' Middle Atmosphere: Gravity Waves Reign Supreme

A groundbreaking study reveals that unlike Earth, Mars's middle and upper atmosphere circulation is primarily driven by gravity waves (GWs), not Rossby waves. Analysis of long-term atmospheric data shows GWs facilitate rapid vertical transfer of angular momentum, significantly influencing north-south circulation. This contrasts with Earth's stratosphere, resembling the mesosphere instead. This finding necessitates refining existing Martian atmospheric models for improved climate and weather simulations, crucial for future missions. Future research will explore the impact of Martian dust storms on this dynamic, promising more accurate Martian weather forecasting.

(phys.org)

Tech Mars Atmosphere Gravity Waves Atmospheric Circulation

Bullies Have More Kids: A Shocking New Study

2025-03-10

Bullies Have More Kids: A Shocking New Study

New research from Brock University reveals a startling correlation: adolescent bullies tend to have more children in adulthood than their peers. The study, published in Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences, examined the link between adolescent bullying and adult fertility. Researchers found that bullies, both male and female, had higher rates of early parenthood and overall higher fertility. This suggests that bullying, in part, may be an evolutionary adaptation enhancing reproductive success. The long-term study tracked hundreds of students from grade 5 onwards, supplementing the data with retrospective accounts from adults aged 24-35. The findings highlight the long-term consequences of bullying, not just for victims, but for the perpetrators as well, raising concerns about the potential transmission of bullying behavior across generations. Future research will explore the parenting styles of bullies and whether their children are raised to be bullies.

(phys.org)

Misc bullying fertility

Archimedean-Shaped Ceramic Powders Resist Extreme Heat and Oxidation

2025-03-10

Archimedean-Shaped Ceramic Powders Resist Extreme Heat and Oxidation

A research team synthesized high-quality boride ceramic powders with Archimedean shapes, exhibiting exceptional heat and oxidation resistance. Using a refined precursor-carbon/boron thermal reduction process and a novel sol-gel method, they produced high-purity ZrB2 and HfB2 powders. Control over particle size and shape, achieved through the addition of dispersants, resulted in powders with superior crystallinity and a unique polyhedral morphology. These powders formed a thin protective oxide layer (86.43 micrometers after 3 hours at 1400°C), significantly outperforming similar materials. This breakthrough offers a new approach for developing ultra-high-temperature materials.

(phys.org)

Tech boride ceramics Archimedean polyhedra high-temperature materials

Optimal Brain Processing: The Key Role of Excitatory-Inhibitory Balance

2025-03-10

Optimal Brain Processing: The Key Role of Excitatory-Inhibitory Balance

New research reveals a crucial aspect of brain information processing: the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neuronal activity is key to optimal information encoding. Researchers from the University of Padova, the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, and EPFL used mathematical models and information theory to show that balanced activity of these two neuron types enables efficient information processing, accurately encoding both long-timescale and rapidly changing inputs. This finding offers new insights into brain information processing and guides future neuroscientific research.

(phys.org)

Tech neuronal balance

Above the McMillan Limit: Ambient-Pressure Nickel-Based High-Temperature Superconductor Achieved

2025-03-09

Above the McMillan Limit: Ambient-Pressure Nickel-Based High-Temperature Superconductor Achieved

A team of engineers and physicists from Southern University of Science and Technology in China has synthesized a novel nickel-based material exhibiting superconductivity above -233°C (40K) under ambient pressure, surpassing the McMillan limit. They achieved this by synthesizing bilayer nickelate thin films (La₂.₈₅Pr₀.₁₅Ni₂O₇), with one demonstrating high-temperature superconducting properties. This breakthrough promises to revolutionize technologies in maglev trains, fusion reactors, and MRI machines, and advance our understanding of superconductivity.

(phys.org)

Tech nickel-based material McMillan limit

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