Although volcanic eruptions are mostly known for their devastating impacts on land, they also influence the atmosphere in surprising ways. Particles that are catapulted into the sky by eruptions can alter the composition of clouds, cooling the surface below. Volcanic ash, as new research suggests, plays an unexpected role in cloud formation by manipulating ice crystals.A new study published in Science Advances found that volcanic ash enables ice to take shape in clouds, a process that hasn’t b ...read more
While we might not realize it, when it comes to deciding which people we trust more, we tend to lean towards people who grew up poor, according to a new study, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology by the American Psychological Association (APA). We seem to trust those who grew up in middle to lower income households versus wealthy households. "Trust is essential for healthy relationships. Without it, romantic partnerships can fail, workplaces can suffer, and social divi ...read more
Sloths once came in a variety of sizes and lived in multiple settings in many parts of the world. A study in the journal Science examined sloth evolution over the past 35 million years, investigated multiple factors driving their growth and expansion throughout the world, and concluded that human hunting starting around 15,000 years ago drove their dramatic decline.Today, only six species within two genera remain. All are relatively small (especially compared to their largest ancestors) tree-dwe ...read more
About 5,000 years ago, a bacterium that was primarily transmitted via ticks made a switch to louse. That may have been a strategic evolutionary opportunity, since the change from tick to louse as a vector coincided with human adaptation of wool textiles, more densely populated cities, and a more sedentary lifestyle, according to a paper in the journal Science.“We and our pathogens are very intrinsically linked,” says Pooja Swali, a research fellow at University College London and an author o ...read more
Targeting the immune system to fight cancer has been in the works for over a decade, and thanks to its precise, personalized approach, it's poised to shape the future of oncology. As our understanding of how immunotherapy can be used against cancer grows, scientists are now reconsidering existing drugs, particularly those that affect the immune system, for their potential role in cancer treatment.Alongside well-established medications like aspirin, showing potential to help the immune system com ...read more
Author Vishay SinghPosted on Categories Discover Magazine