We tend to think of magnets as binary. Batteries have positive and negative ends. Compasses point north and south. And, until late last year, there were two kinds of magnetism: ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism.Late in 2024, scientists discovered a third kind: altermagnetism. This class of magnetism — which has some characteristics of the other two — could greatly increase computer memory storage, and, in doing so, also save on both energy and rare earth materials. It could also boost th ...read more

In 1862, an American antiquities dealer was in an Egyptian marketplace, squinting at a scroll. The scroll was written in hieratic, a type of ancient Egyptian cursive, and the dealer, Edwin Smith, wasn’t fluent enough to decode the text. Smith sensed the scroll had great value, and he also suspected the merchant selling the ancient text didn’t recognize its value. Smith purchased the papyrus and returned to buy additional pieces he later identified as a continuation of the scroll.Now known a ...read more

In 1997, Jeanne Calment set the record for the longest recorded time a person has lived, passing away at the age of 122 years old. So far, no one has broken this record. But even before Calment, the 20th Century heralded the last radical expansion of human lifespans thus far, spawning what some researchers call the “longevity revolution” by skyrocketing our chances of living longer. Thanks largely to improvements in medicine and public health measures, the average life expectancy is no longe ...read more

Outer space could use a set of traffic laws — and cops who can enforce them.The amount of both space junk and satellites orbiting the Earth now, the moon soon, and Mars eventually, poses a massive, unseen threat to people on the ground, wrote three scientists in a commentary. Risks of Space JunkThe threat to humans isn’t so much about debris falling from the sky (although a major hunk did land in Kenya in January 2025) and hitting someone (the odds of that are possible, but infinitesimal) as ...read more

The enigmatic origins of runic writings used by early Germanic peoples have invited much debate over the years, but a fragmented runestone from a Norwegian grave site may settle some questions. Researchers found that several pieces of sandstone, excavated from the Svingerud grave field in Hole, Norway and dated to between 50 B.C.E. to 275 C.E., fit together into a single slab that contains perplexing runic inscriptions. The meanings behind these carved markings are explored in a new study publi ...read more

The octopus is a marvel of the sea. With their eight flexible, sucker-lined tentacles, their vast intelligence, and the ability to squeeze themselves into tight spaces, these cephalopods have long captured our wonder. While the octopus still holds many secrets, a new study helps answer the long-held question of how these creatures determine their sex. Dating back 480 million years, octopuses have one of the oldest known sex chromosomes, according to a new study published in Current Biology. The ...read more

Throughout the animal kingdom, resourcefulness often means the difference between a good meal and an empty stomach. And near coral reefs, where competition for food is particularly fierce, nature has cooked up an extraordinary solution: octopus and fish teaming up to hunt. This collaboration isn't just about sharing a meal. It’s a carefully coordinated dance where each species plays a distinct and dynamic role. And when a fish slacks off, the octopus isn’t shy about delivering it a swift sla ...read more

After burning for 24 days, the deadly Palisades Fire in the Los Angeles area finally was declared 100 percent contained on Jan. 31, 2025. Two days later, an analysis found last month to be the warmest January on record globally. Scientists believe climate change had raised wildfire risks in Southern California prior to the blaze. In the false-color satellite view above, scorched areas are depicted in tones of orange and red. (Credit: Modified Copernicus Sentinel data processed by Tom Yulsman)Ja ...read more

We’ve all felt it — that midday slump when your back aches, your shoulders are tight, and your focus starts to fade. The culprit? Hours of sitting at your desk. Although the demands of modern work often tether us to our chairs, staying active doesn’t require you to abandon your workspace. By doing just a few simple stretches at your desk, you can loosen up stiff muscles, boost your energy, and improve your focus throughout the day. The Benefits of Stretching at Your DeskSitting for prolong ...read more

It’s customary to wish people a Happy New Year on January 1. But after the confetti clears and the noisemakers are thrown away, it is becoming increasingly common for people to celebrate “Divorce Day.” The first Monday of January has traditionally seen a spike in people either consulting lawyers or looking up web information for a way to end their marriages. In fact, some lawyers label all of January as Divorce Month.“Many New Year's resolutions entail self-improvement, including fitness ...read more