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