As historic stone objects go, you wouldn’t think that a 335-pound block of dull sandstone would attract much attention. When it comes to heavyweight relics, the Rosetta Stone or one of Cleopatra’s Needles is far bigger and arguably better known around the world.Nevertheless, Scotland’s Stone of Destiny has justly secured its own place in history, for this hefty chunk of rock is more than an artifact from ancient times: It is a sacred icon, a trophy of bloody war and conquest, and a politic ...read more

In the first book of his epic poem Paradise Lost, John Milton mentions a “Tuscan Artist” who views the moon’s orb through optic glass. He is referring, somewhat perplexingly, to Galileo Galilei, the Italian scientist famed for his telescopic observations and study of fundamental physical laws. Today, it might seem odd that Milton’s description of the so-called “father of modern science” was first and foremost an artist. In their context, however, it makes perfect sense — both men l ...read more

The Milk Way is the galaxy our solar system calls home. For thousands of years, the Milky Way's beauty and wonder have inspired legendary stories and curious astronomers gazing at the night sky. We've only recently learned some of the fascinating details of the Milk Way. While there is still more left to be uncovered, here are 10 facts we know about the Milk Way.(Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)1. How Big Is the Milky Way?According to NASA, the Milky Way galaxy is about 100,000 light-years across. Wi ...read more

When people think about infectious diseases — as many have, these last three years — they think mainly about the immune system. The severity of an individual’s illness, it’s assumed, is down to how well the immune system detects, attacks and eliminates the pathogenic invader.The immune system is said to resist disease. Resistance reduces the amount of pathogen residing inside a host, thereby curtailing disease progression, driving recovery or preventing infections altogether. People who ...read more

For centuries, Alzheimer’s and related dementias — debilitating diseases that cause memory loss over time, particularly in the elderly — have caused grief and pain in millions of families around the world. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6.7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, that number is expected to rise to nearly 13 million. While most of these cases exist in those aged 65 or older, about 200,000 Americans under 65 years old currently live w ...read more

Jason Kiernan knows the value of music. After studying piano, he developed a taste for bluegrass in his 20s. Now he plays banjo in a six-piece bluegrass band. In addition to picking the banjo, he's an assistant professor in the College of Nursing at Michigan State University.A few years ago, when he was finishing his doctorate in nursing and looking around for a dissertation project, he noticed something interesting about patients receiving chemotherapy in the infusion clinic: They were, quite o ...read more

The Yangtze River dolphin, also known as the baiji dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer), was a white, fresh-water dolphin native to the Yangtze River and Qiantang River in China as recently as the 1990s.The baiji is best known for its squinty eyes and a long, toothed, beak-like mouth. Aficionados tell tales of it being the “goddess of the Yangtze,” a symbol of peace and prosperity and the protector of people at sea. But sadly, the creature disappeared more than two decades ago.Read More: River Dolph ...read more

What’s in a name? When it comes to the great white pelican or yellow-footed tortoise, for example, what you expect is just what you’ll get. But some other animals aren’t as lucky — and that can come with consequences.Research has proven that common names hold a lot of sway over how we view different species, and can even affect whether policies are implemented to protect them. For example, in a 2012 study conducted by George Mason University researchers, 66 percent of respondents deemed ...read more

This article contains affiliate links to products. Discover may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.Before reading this post, if you're looking for Discover's #1 Fat Burner, start here.CarboFix is a weight loss supplement that claims to decrease appetite, helping you naturally burn fat.The diet pill is formulated for people who don’t want to go on super strict diets but still want to lose weight through optimal carbohydrate management. If you want to burn fat without th ...read more

We know that asteroids can do a lot of damage. One barreled into the Yucatan Peninsula 66 million years ago and caused the demise of 70 percent of all life on Earth, including the dinosaurs. Within moments the six-mile-wide chunk of rock, known as the Chicxulub impactor, caused tsunamis so large that the Great Plains were overwhelmed with water. Giant shock waves reverberated across the planet, clouding the sky with volcanic eruptions and shaking the ground with endless earthquakes. What's wors ...read more