Long before astronomers discovered the first exoplanet in 1992, the idea of worlds orbiting distant stars captivated the minds of academics and dreamers alike. As far back as the 16th century, philosopher Giordano Bruno speculated about an infinite universe filled with countless stars, each surrounded by its own planets. Today, with more than 5,800 confirmed exoplanets, astronomers are finding that some of these worlds are astonishingly strange, defying even the wildest predictions. Some exoplan ...read more

Your body may move to the music on the dance floor, but how does your brain function when listening to tunes while you work?A lot of people swear one way or another — electronic music may speed up the pace of typing for some, while others just find it distracting. In fact, the question of whether music helps you get your work done or hinders you may be highly individualistic.However, new research shows that certain types of upbeat, groovy music without lyrics may improve people’s moods while ...read more

Among the vast forests, herds of bison, and steaming geysers, a new hydrothermal feature has emerged at Yellowstone National Park. After an exciting summer, with the park seeing a hydrothermal explosion at Biscuit Basin and Norris Geyser Basin, one of the park’s scientists also spotted the new hydrothermal feature. According to a news release from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the new feature “popped up right in front of our eyes — literally!”The new feature could be seen from the ...read more

Evidence of one of the smallest — and perhaps unluckiest — early human relatives has been found in South Africa, according to a paper in the Journal of Human Evolution.Researchers who found what they identified as a fossil of a Paranthropus robustus female, estimated she stood just under 3 feet 4.5 inches. That’s about half an inch shorter than the famous “Lucy” and 6 inches shorter than the so-called Hobbits.Comparing those three species’ heights is interesting, but perhaps unfair, ...read more

Pregnancy is an incredibly special and delicate time for all parents. In those early stages of development, the environment, both inside and outside the body, can drastically impact fetal and long-term health. A recent study has identified a new area that can be influenced, diagnosed, and treated before birth: neuropsychiatric disorders. The Placenta and Psychiatric DisordersThe key to understanding the genetic risk of neuropsychiatric disorders is in the placenta. The international research t ...read more

Black holes are enigmatic yet simplistic astronomical forces at the center of science fiction and scientific discovery alike. At the center of our universe, a supermassive black hole with a mass equivalent to 4 million suns lies: Sagittarius A.Though humans – at least to our knowledge – have never come into contact with a black hole, the potential encounter has long been a source of both regimented research and casual curiosity. The outcome would depend on many factors, mainly the mass, or s ...read more

We’ve been warned repeatedly that sugary beverages are bad for us and are associated with a variety of diseases, But the hows and whys have perhaps not been communicated clearly. So, before you reach for that next can of cola, consider this study in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry that shows the effects such drinks have on individual organs, as well as overall physical, molecular, and metabolic processes in the body.Taking a closer look at sugar’s impact throughout the body takes on ...read more

In the U.S., we tend to share meals less frequently than we did 20 years ago, with almost a third of people regularly eating alone. This shift is believed to stem from broader changes in social networks, affecting family and friendship dynamics, and was further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual World Happiness Report, published on March 20, 2025, highlights a strong link between sharing meals and improved well-being.Researchers from London’s Global University (UCL), the Universi ...read more

We’ve all been through it. Telling a friend something they may not want to hear. Maybe a friend is dating someone who treats them poorly, or they did something that upset you. Or maybe it’s something smaller, like an outfit that just doesn’t fit. Should you be honest all the time, or are there times when brutal honesty is mean-spirited? It’s not always so easy to tell. Brutal honesty prioritizes truth over the feelings and sensitivity of the person who may be on the receiving end of it, ...read more

When it comes time to whip up your favorite meal, one of the first items you'll grab is probably some form of vegetable oil or animal fat — like a jug of canola oil or a tub of butter. But have you ever stopped to think about what option is the healthiest way to kickstart a recipe? The choices may seem overwhelming, and now, many consumers are embroiled in a hot debate over growing suspicion of seed oils. Critics of seed oils have claimed that the ingredients are toxic to the human body, infl ...read more