Some 48 light-years away, in the constellation Cetus, lies an ice-covered planet straight out of Star Wars central casting. One hemisphere always faces the host star, creating a small melted ocean on the permanent day side that gives it the appearance of a gargantuan eyeball. What’s more, this watery orb, almost twice as large as Earth, may be our best shot at finding habitable conditions elsewhere in the universe.The latest picture of LHS 1140 b (named because it orbits a red dwarf star calle ...read more
In the modern age, the search for extraterrestrial life requires a unique mind. A researcher must have the openness and creativity to imagine something beyond our current knowledge of the universe. At the same time, the researcher, if they are to be taken seriously, must also be skilled enough to analyze high-powered astronomical imagery through supercomputing, artificial intelligence, or other means.The researchers behind project Hephaistos, a Swedish-based effort to identify traces of alien li ...read more
Having a gluten-free diet has become a well-established dietary trend. But not everyone suffers from the genetic autoimmune disease called celiac disease. It’s estimated that around 1 percent of Americans suffer from celiac disease, which is commonly known for its gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. Recent studies have also shown that beyond stomach issues, there is a connection between mental health issues and celiac disease and gluten intolerance. ...read more
In the 1920s and ‘30s, a British botanist named Arthur Ernest Watkins collected over 1,000 varieties of bread wheat from 32 countries all around the globe. In a recent study, scientists propose that his seed collection – which has been painstakingly maintained for over a century – could hold the key to fortifying modern wheat agriculture and feeding the world’s ever-increasing population. Their findings were published in the journal Nature in June 2024. The Green RevolutionUpon Watkin’ ...read more
There are two kinds of tickles. Knismesis is a soft, gentle kind of tickling, such as when an insect crawls across your skin, or someone strokes you with a feather. But here we’re talking about the other kind. It’s called gargalesis and is the full-on, go-for-the-ribs or armpits tickling that makes you laugh out loud and wiggle and squirm.Stop and think about it for a minute, and you’ll notice something very odd about tickling. When you’re being tickled, you laugh, sometimes a lot. Thatâ ...read more
Author Vishay SinghPosted on Categories Discover Magazine