A recent solar storm has triggered the formation of two new, persistent bands of radiation around Earth, encircling the planet in a zone previously thought to be empty. These temporary radiation belts, which could last for months or even years, pose a threat to satellites and astronauts, and may require engineers to rethink their designs…
Science on The Soothsayer / page 23
Scientists at the KM3NeT neutrino observatory have made a groundbreaking discovery by detecting an ultra-high-energy cosmic neutrino with an energy greater than 100 PeV. This finding has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of cosmic neutrino sources and may even reveal new physics beyond the Standard Model. The detection of such a high-energy neutrino opens…
Scientists have discovered the secret to the mantis shrimp’s powerful punches, which can exceed 1,000 times the animal’s body weight without causing injury. The exoskeleton of the mantis shrimp’s club-like forelimbs is built to filter out damaging pressure waves, and its unique architecture could inspire new materials such as impact-resistant armor and aerospace structures. Forecast…
Researchers from France and Spain have developed a theoretical model to forecast the movements of confined, densely packed crowds. The study, published in Nature, analyzed high-resolution video footage of the Chupinazo opening ceremony of the San Fermín Festival in Pamplona, Spain, and revealed a change in behavior akin to a phase change when the crowd…
Researchers from the University of Naples Federico II have discovered a method of cooking eggs that achieves perfectly cooked yolks and whites. By using periodic cooking, where the egg is alternately submerged in boiling and room-temperature water, the team was able to create a dish with a soft-boiled white and a sous vide-like yolk. This…
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) meeting in Boston has highlighted the uncertainty and turmoil facing the American scientific community. With thousands of scientists, advocates, and policy experts in attendance, the meeting has underscored the threats to funding, public data, and federal workers. The climate at institutions is described as chaotic, with…
Physicists at the University of New South Wales have successfully created and manipulated quantum superpositions of a single, large nuclear spin, a significant breakthrough in the field of quantum information processing. This achievement, which involves a Schrödinger’s cat state, has the potential to improve the accuracy of quantum computers and enable more efficient error correction….
Wildfires in Los Angeles have left a toxic legacy, with ash and chemicals from burned homes, cars, and fire retardants contaminating the air and water. Experts warn that people living near burn zones may face health risks for months to come, and long-term consequences are possible. The aftermath of wildfires exposes people to toxic chemicals…
Researchers at the California Institute of Technology and Princeton University have discovered that bacterial cells in polymer solutions, such as mucus, form long cable-like structures that buckle and twist on each other, creating a “living gel.” This finding could lead to new treatments for bacterial infections in patients with cystic fibrosis and help scientists understand…
Researchers in Romania have made a groundbreaking discovery by analyzing diaries and documents from 16th century Transylvania to reconstruct the climate of the region during the Little Ice Age. The study found that the region experienced heat and droughts in the first half of the century, followed by increased rainfall. The findings offer a unique…