An ancient planet named Theia collided with Earth some 4.5 billion years ago and left large amounts of its iron-rich material embedded in our planet, according to a new study.Researchers first identified the material by studying seismic waves, which travel more slowly in the denser material. The continent-sized deposits lie beneath Africa and the Pacific Ocean and are each about twice the size of the moon.Earth's Collision With an Ancient PlanetAs dramatic as it may sound, our collision with a w ...read more

If you’ve ever listened to a recording of whale song, you know that it can be haunting, beautiful, and moving. The songs of humpbacks and the clicks, called codas, of sperm whales are sophisticated forms of communication, according to research.But what are they actually saying to each other? We humans don’t know, but some scientists are trying to find out. And when they do, they hope that being able to communicate with whales could not only help save life on this planet but also allow us ...read more

For many, the mere mention of "wisdom teeth" conjures up memories of sore jaws, throbbing pain, and soft food diets. But what's the real deal behind these notoriously late-blooming teeth, and why do they cause so much trouble? Let’s dive into the science behind the pain and unravel the mystery of wisdom teeth.What Are Wisdom Teeth?Wisdom teeth, known as third molars, are the last teeth to develop and appear in the mouth. According to Cleveland Clinic, wisdom teeth typically emerge between the ...read more

More often than not, a trip to the grocery store ends up with the purchase of packaged snacks, sugar-sweetened beverages, or reconstituted meat products, also known as ultra-processed foods. These foods make up more than 70 percent of the packaged foods in the U.S. and represent about 60 percent of the calories consumed by the average American.Extensive research has already indicated how detrimental ultra-processed foods are to your physical health — but what about your mental health?What Are ...read more

The importance of a good night’s rest cannot be overstated. Poor sleep is linked to all-cause mortality, which means getting too little or too much sleep are “significant predictors of death,” according to a 2010 meta-analysis study. But good sleep is increasingly a privilege, as stress, workloads, and the trappings of a modern lifestyle squeeze out valuable shut-eye.Naturally, there are medications that aim to fix this problem. Home remedies like extracts of valerian root, a pinkish-white ...read more

The benefits of friendship go far beyond having someone to confide in or spend time with – it can also protect you from physical and mental health problems. For example, people with good friends recover more quickly from illnesses and surgeries. They report higher well-being and feel like they live up to their full potential. Additionally, people with good friends report being less lonely across many life stages, including adolescence, becoming a parent and old age.In fact, friendshi ...read more

Sea snakes have long captivated, and terrified, ocean enthusiasts and beachgoers alike. With their sleek bodies and potent venom, they've surely earned their spot in the marine hall of fame.But just how dangerous are sea snakes? In this article, we’ll take a deep dive.Are Sea Snakes Poisonous?Firstly, it's important to note the distinction between "poisonous" and "venomous." A creature is poisonous when it releases toxins when touched or consumed. Venomous creatures, on the other hand, activel ...read more

When you think of great survivors in the animal kingdom, your mind might not immediately go to the humble pig, but maybe it should. In the wild, pigs are extremely durable — they can thrive in almost any environment — and they’re well-known for being able and willing to eat just about anything.These two traits alone should earn them some respect as highly adaptable creatures. The problem is, those same characteristics make them a nuisance, certainly in the U.S., where feral hogs are now co ...read more

Anybody who has played tic-tac-toe has probably worked out that the game can always be drawn, provided neither player makes a mistake. Indeed, it is straightforward to create an algorithm that guarantees a win or draw regardless of the moves made by the opponent.This is a trivial example of a game that has been “solved” – one in which the outcome is determined from the start. There are many others that have also been solved but plenty that have not. For game theorists and computer scientis ...read more

Nothing calls to mind nonsensical treatments and bizarre religious healing rituals as easily as the notion of Dark Age medicine. “The Saturday Night Live” sketch Medieval Barber Theodoric of York says it all with its portrayal of a quack doctor who insists on extracting pints of his patients’ blood in a dirty little shop.Though the skit relies on dubious stereotypes, it’s true that many cures from the Middle Ages sound utterly ridiculous – consider a list written around 800 C.E. of ...read more