The Science Near Me blog is a partnership between Discover magazine and ScienceNearMe.org. It’s almost March 14, better known as Pi Day – the only date on the calendar that looks like the first three digits of the mathematical constant, pi (π = 3.14). Not only does Pi Day give you an excellent excuse to eat pie, it’s also a fine time to learn and talk about math! Math is everywhere, whether you notice it or not. Engineers use math to build bridges and buildings, and programmers use it to ...read more
On May 4, 1891, the Atlanta — a schooner— was in tow behind the Wilhelm — a steamer — when strong winds snapped the towing cable connecting the two ships. With no sails, the Atlanta sank 650 feet below the surface. The shipwreck is in excellent condition due to the frigid waters the ship settled in, according to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society. In early 2022, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society announced that the remains of the 172-foot-long schooner had been ...read more
Ants can be found in nearly every location on Earth, with rough estimates suggesting there are over 10 quadrillion individuals – that is a 1 followed by 16 zeroes, or about 1 million ants per person. Ants are among the most biologically successful animals on the planet. A surprising part of their evolutionary success is the amazing sense of smell that lets them recognize, communicate and cooperate with one another. Ants live in complex colonies, sometimes referred to as nests, that are home ...read more
When family or friends suspect a loved one has memory loss, an evaluation with a physician can determine whether the patient has mild cognitive impairment due to aging or something more severe, like dementia. In recent years, a greater understanding of dementia has enabled clinicians to diagnose earlier in the disease progression. Early diagnosis allows the patient and their loved ones to make plans for their medical care. Although patients in the earlier stages can still live independently, pe ...read more
A new blood test promises early detection of anxiety disorders, a strike against the old regime of simply interviewing patients, observing their behavior and making a diagnosis. The research team was led by Alexander Niculescu, professor of psychiatry at Indiana University, who has already developed similar tests for mood disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. The new “BioM-95” test relies on 95 genetic markers identified during an elaborate study that examined both patients and their ...read more
Author Vishay SinghPosted on Categories Discover Magazine