The dinosaurs knew a smaller, dimmer sun than we do today. And we’re in the last legs of the viability of life on Earth. In about 500 million years, our sun will brighten to the point that it will trigger a runaway greenhouse effect on the Earth. The oceans will evaporate, locking in more heat in the atmosphere, which will cause even more evaporation, which will heat up the planet more, leading to an out-of-control feedback loop. While today, we know our parent star as the source of light and ...read more
This story was originally published in our Mar/Apr 2023 issue. Click here to subscribe to read more stories like this one. While paging through the book Space Physiology and Medicine in 1995, Senator John Glenn spotted a chart that captured his imagination. Listed were 52 kinds of physical changes routinely experienced in space by orbiting astronauts, including osteoporosis, cardiovascular difficulties and alterations in the distribution of body fluids. Th e 73-year-old Glenn, who had spent ye ...read more
If the mom and pup Galápagos sea lions in the photo above seem content, it could be that we’re simply projecting human emotions onto them. Or it may just be that that their bellies are full with fish. In fact, barring close encounters with rapacious sharks, they’ve probably had it pretty good lately — thanks to La Niña. Now in its third year, the climate phenomenon typically brings a bounty of food for marine animals foraging in the waters of the Galápagos Islands. But now, according t ...read more
More than 86 million Americans used a weight loss app in 2022. With an enormous variety of choices, there's an app for every type of consumer. Among the most common features found on these apps are diet plans, water consumption tracking, goal setting, fitness tracking, food diaries, recipes and a supportive environment. Not all apps offer every option, which is why potential users should seek out the app best suited for them. With emerging evidence that these apps can be helpful, let's ...read more
Today, humans are the only members of our genus — the Homo from Homo sapiens — left alive. Remnants of our closest relatives, including Neanderthals and Denisovans, range from teeth and bones to tools and artwork, not to mention a genetic legacy in many modern humans thanks to interbreeding. Neanderthal DNA With a new study published in iScience, a group of researchers announced that ancient DNA has helped illuminate another aspect of our fellow humans’ lives: their sense of smell. This re ...read more
Author Vishay SinghPosted on Categories Discover Magazine