Author - Jorge Paka

Scientists have Found Out Why Humans no Longer have Tails

Scientists have discovered why humans no longer have tails© iStockAbout 25 million years ago, an evolutionary divergence happened between our ancestors—the early humans and apes—and monkeys, leading to the loss of tails in our lineage. The specific genetic mutation behind this change, however, has been unknown until recently.In a recent study published in Nature, scientists...

Placebos Can Reduce Anxiety, Even if People Know they’re Fake

Even though people knew they were taking placebo pills, they still had a significant effect on mental health. Credit: PixabayA new study indicates that taking placebo pills, even when people know they have no active ingredients, can still greatly decrease stress, anxiety, and depression. These "non-deceptive placebos" could be an effective method for enhancing...

How Your Food Choices Can Contribute to Anxiety and Depression

Credit: DepositphotosThe familiar "sugar high" after enjoying a sweet treat is a well-known example of how food can positively impact mood.Conversely, the experience of feeling "hangry"—where hunger leads to anger or irritability—demonstrates how our diet, or lack thereof, can also trigger negative emotions.Recent research indicates that fluctuations in blood sugar levels play a role...

A New Method Eliminates Over 98% of Nanoplastics from Water

Credit: DepositphotosThe potential threat of plastic pollution to human health remains uncertain, but the recent discovery that we are unknowingly consuming tiny plastic fragments in our water is causing widespread concern.To prevent microplastics and nanoplastics from infiltrating our bodies and brains, researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a potentially sustainable and safe...

BenQ Invites Movie Lovers to Relax and Look up

Lay back and watch a blockbuster on your ceiling with the GV50 1080p smart projectorBenQIn 2021, BenQ introduced a portable projector resembling a Bluetooth speaker, offering large-scale visuals. Now, they've expanded the lineup with a flagship model designed for an unconventional viewing surface—the ceiling.The GV50, featuring a distinctive waterdrop design, retains the dual 4-watt...

Brain Found to Retain Three Copies of Each Memory

This generative image illustrates the discovery that the brain stores memories in three parallel copiesSimilar to a computer system with built-in redundancies, a study has discovered that the brain uses three distinct sets of neurons to store a single memory. This finding might eventually aid in alleviating painful memories for those who have experienced...

WHO Declares Global Emergency Over New Mpox Strain

Credit: DepositphotosOn Wednesday, the World Health Organization declared the mpox outbreak in Africa a global public health emergency, raising its highest level of alert over the escalating crisis.Concerned by the rising cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the virus's spread to neighboring countries, the WHO quickly convened a meeting of experts to...

Becoming a Father at Fifty Is on the Rise, Affecting Child Health

Credit: PixabayMost are well aware that motherhood is limited by a biological clock – a reality that causes sleepless nights for many women, influences career and relationship decisions, and plays a significant role in the $819 million IVF industry.However, mature fatherhood carries its own risks, and a new study reveals that the number of...

Video: Google Robot Plays Table Tennis with Humans

Google DeepMind's table tennis robot takes on a human competitor in a trial of the systemAtil IscenGoogle used extensive data to train a table-tennis-playing robot to compete against humans and improve over time. The results are impressive, showcasing significant advancements in robotic speed and dexterity, and the robot's performance looks quite entertaining."Reaching human-level speed...

Your Microwave Oven Hosts Its Own Microbiome

Credit: DepositphotosExtreme organisms, or "extremophiles," are known for their ability to thrive in extreme environments such as hot hydrothermal vents, freezing Antarctic ice, and deep within Earth's crust. Recently, researchers have discovered these resilient microbes in an unexpected location: microwave ovens.While previous research has uncovered unique microbial communities in appliances like dishwashers and...