Science

Why Preserving Muscle Mass Is Crucial for Healthy Aging

Skeletal muscle fibers (multinucleated cells) with their nerve connections. (Ed Reschke/Stone/Getty Images)We all wish for a longer life—at least, I know I do—but what about ensuring that we enjoy good health during the time we have?Over the past century, human life expectancy has significantly increased for several reasons, particularly advances in sanitation, public health, nutrition,...

Study Finds Traffic Noises Boosts Stress and Anxiety Levels

Credit: PixabayManmade noises, like vehicle traffic, can reduce the stress-relieving effects of natural soundscapes, according to a November 27, 2024, study in PLOS ONE by Paul Lintott and Lia Gilmour.Previous research shows natural sounds, such as birdsong, lower blood pressure, heart rate, and stress. In contrast, human-made noises like traffic negatively affect health....

Remarkable Fossil Reveals a 12-Million-Year-Old Crocodile

The almost complete skeleton of a young marine crocodile. (Ernesto Benavides/AFP)On Wednesday, paleontologists revealed the fossil of a young marine crocodile, estimated to be 10 to 12 million years old, uncovered in a Peruvian desert. The three-meter-long (nearly 10-foot) gharial, or fish-eating crocodile, was discovered in late 2023 in the Ocucaje Desert, about 350 kilometers...

Evidence Found of the Only Known Family Practice of Pong-Term Embalming in Early Modern France

Individual burial ML2021 found in the chevet of the chapel in 2021. (a) In situ photo © H. Gaillard; (b) Marks of embalming on the cranium; (c) Marks on the right humerus (antero-medial view), (d) Marks on the left tibia (anterior view) © C. Partiot and M. Bessou. Credit: Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-78258-wA team of...

A Specialist Explains the Effects of Black Friday on Your Brain

Credit: DepositphotosDo you favor Black Friday or Cyber Monday? The January sales or Amazon Prime Day? Or maybe you prefer waiting for a traditional clearance event with deep discounts.No matter your shopping preferences, it's likely that you enjoy the thrill of scoring a good deal.The weeks leading up to Black Friday showcase this eager...

An Expert Discusses the True Impact of Microplastics on Human Health

Credit: DepositphotosIt’s well-known that enjoying a tasty fish fillet or a seafood platter provides essential nutrients like omega-3s and vitamin D. However, these meals often come with an unwelcome side: numerous micro- and nano-plastics.Plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters find their way into oceans through human waste, infiltrating the food chain. An Ifremer study...

A Galaxy Collision at 3.2 Million km/h

Credit: PixabayAstronomers have observed a massive galaxy collision in remarkable detail, triggered by a galaxy traveling at 2 million mph (3.2 million km/h), using one of Earth’s most powerful telescopes.The dramatic event occurred in Stephan's Quintet, a galaxy group discovered nearly 150 years ago, and sparked a shockwave resembling a "sonic boom from...

Air Fryers Found to Be the Least Polluting Cooking Method

Credit: PixabayAir fryers emit significantly less indoor air pollution than other cooking methods, such as pan and deep frying, according to a new study.While cooking is a major source of indoor air pollution, much of the research has focused on air fryers' energy efficiency, leaving their environmental benefits less explored. Since most people spend...

Pandrug-Resistant Bacteria Emerging From the War in Ukraine are Highly Pathogenic

Credit: PixabayKristian Riesbeck, a professor of clinical bacteriology at Lund University, was approached by Ukrainian microbiologist Oleksandr Nazarchuk for help in assessing antibiotic resistance in bacteria from severely injured, infected war patients. Using samples from 141 individuals, including 133 adults and 8 newborns with pneumonia, the study revealed widespread resistance to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Alarmingly,...

A Magnetic Vortex is Churning the Haze at Jupiter’s Poles

Credit: PixabayJupiter’s Great Red Spot has long been a planetary icon. However, UC Berkeley astronomers have now identified equally massive, Earth-sized dark spots at the planet’s poles. These UV-dark ovals, which appear within the stratospheric haze at the poles, come and go unpredictably. Notably, they sit just below the auroral zones and absorb more...