Space photo of the week: Uranus 'rings' in the New Year in stunning James Webb telescope image

The James Webb Space Telescope reveals a stunning new portrait of ice giant Uranus, featuring its frigid rings and 14 of 27 moons.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/87dXV3p

3 scary breakthroughs AI will make in 2024

Although 2023 was a game-changing year for artificial intelligence, it was only the beginning, with 2024 set to usher in a host of scary advancements that may include artificial general intelligence and even more realistic deepfakes.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/vMq6PL1

Why was the name 'Brontosaurus' brought back from the dead?

The dinosaur Brontosaurus was canceled but then resurrected. What happened?

via Livescience https://ift.tt/Hm7YdR6

The biggest technology breakthroughs of 2023

2023 was a breakout year for artificial intelligence, quantum computing and augmented reality.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/5SQ0blo

Paradoxical frog: The giant tadpole that turns into a little frog

Paradoxical frogs — also known as shrinking frogs — are about three times bigger as tadpoles as they are when adults.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/jcDMFWm

Did humans cross the Bering Strait after the land bridge disappeared?

Evidence suggests that people likely boated across the narrow passage between Russia and Alaska when the crossing was submerged.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/9RyQVLC

Why is snot sticky?

The glue-like mucus in your nose plays an important role in your immune system.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/brIJ9uf

The most popular Live Science stories of 2023

These were the stories our readers loved in 2023.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/iz0TN8g

Our 10 most-read health stories of 2023

Live Science's most-read health stories from 2023 feature Neanderthal DNA, harrowing medical case reports and curious new research findings.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/PxeVAjS

10 creatures that washed up on the world's beaches in 2023

Rare sightings and haunting creatures of the deep appeared on beaches around the world this year — here are 10

via Livescience https://ift.tt/AIdpg2P

See 'incredible' photos of bird that is both male and female

This green honeycreeper has male plumage on one half of its body and female plumage on the other half.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/9dKJ3IQ

'It's neither a scientific nor a medically acceptable term': The real scoop on 'white lung pneumonia'

Separate outbreaks of pneumonia in children have cropped up in the U.S., China and Europe. Public health experts say the uptick in cases is not caused by a novel pathogen.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/aEZTc1F

Do ears and noses get bigger with age?

Ears and noses do increase in size as we get older, but it's due to how aging affects our tissues, rather than the growth of new tissue.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/N1F89vn

Earth's intense gravity may rip space rocks apart, reducing the risk of 'planet killer' asteroids

Earth and other terrestrial planets probably use their gravitational forces to tear apart asteroids ― but this creates more streams of smaller asteroids.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/fehbQoU

10 mind-boggling deep sea discoveries in 2023

Scientists have made some intriguing discoveries exploring the deep sea this year. Here are some of our favorites.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/U6xWZFh

Why do lips get so chapped in winter?

The reason your lips get chapped in cold weather lies in their unique anatomy.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/XI39wSK

Super-healing shark regrows its fin after humans cut a huge chunk off

The shark is only the second in history to be observed regrowing a dorsal fin.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/mpj8ReE

Experts divided over claims of 1st 'practical' algorithm to protect data from quantum computers

LaV's creators claim it's the first practical algorithm that can replace current-day encryption as the industry inches closer to creating a large-scale quantum computer.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/EJfeQji

10 solar storms that blew us away in 2023

The sun has been spitting out more frequent and intense solar storms this year as it approaches solar maximum. Here are some of the biggest.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/BCT8ZtP

Can drinking alcohol really cause hiccups?

"Drunk hiccups" seem to be a real phenomenon, rather than just a gag in classic cartoons, but we know surprisingly little about what actually causes them.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/NCkFOz7

10 extraordinary treasures that archaeologists unearthed this year

From stashes of gold and silver coins to intricately designed jewelry, here are some of the top treasure finds of 2023.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/0XEKuJg

Space photo of the week: Shimmering 'Christmas Tree Cluster' wishes happy holidays to the universe

NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory helped to build a particularly festive image of the gas, dust, and young stars of NGC 2264, also known as the "Christmas Tree Cluster."

via Livescience https://ift.tt/M0QWeF8

Which animal is the best hunter? (And which is the worst?)

There are lots of ways to measure predatory prowess, and the animal kingdom is full of worthy contenders.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/RLakbpP

Science news this week: An ancient 'blue dragon' and atom-size black holes

Dec. 24, 2023: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/6IB0Qsz

Nature's most stunning photos of 2023

From rare species to unforgettable encounters, celebrate 2023's most captivating nature images.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/XMxdcrE

2,300-year-old shell mosaic discovered in luxurious home in Rome

Archaeologists think the house belonged to a senatorial family during the last years of Rome's Republic.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/gCnHRwp

When did Australia become a continent?

After the supercontinent Panagea broke up around 200 million years ago, how long did it take for Australia to emerge as its own continent?

via Livescience https://ift.tt/pIwR9Ui

Tufted ground squirrel: The Borneo rodent once believed to disembowel deer and feast on their organs

The forests of Borneo are home to squirrels with extravagant tails and teeth so sharp they could slash a deer's throat — and folklore has it that's exactly what they use them for.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/aQHPA8C

8 of the most gorgeous space images of 2023

The first images from Euclid, planets, invisible rings, and the first hints of a neutron star’s wispy magnetic field. Here are the 8 space photos that melted our minds in 2023

via Livescience https://ift.tt/H6shx0k

Are Neanderthals and Homo sapiens the same species?

Scientists have been vollying the question back and forth for more than a century.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/bdTrE3l

Chronic infection linked with cat parasite Toxoplasma may drive 'inflammation aging' in older adults

A small study of older adults in Iberia suggests that infection with the common parasite Toxoplasma may be linked to 'inflammaging' and frailty in older adults.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/I0kzXjY

10 out-of-this-world solar system discoveries made in 2023

From Mercury to Pluto (and maybe even Planet Nine), here are some of 2023's most intriguing discoveries about the planets, moons and other bodies in our solar system.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/mVZkles

6 animals that change color in the winter

These animals ditch their summer colors for white winter coats.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/d0bivBp

Biased AI can make doctors' diagnoses less accurate

AI systems have the potential to help improve doctors' diagnoses, a new study suggests. But if bias is baked into the system, their diagnostic accuracy falls.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/MoLbspq

Atom-size black holes from the dawn of time could be devouring stars from the inside out, new research suggests

New research suggests that if tiny primordial black holes created during the Big Bang exist, some of them may have been snared by stars and are now forced to eat their way out.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/WLzwfFq

Hubble Telescope captures a galaxy's 'forbidden' light in stunning new image

The Hubble Telescope viewed a distant galaxy whose light appears to contradict some of the most common rules of quantum physics.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/tPWCqbB

Poisonous gas wave may have snuffed out half of all sea life in Earth's 1st mass extinction

About 510 million years ago, a deadly combination of low oxygen and surging hydrogen sulfide may have been what decimated 45% of all ocean life.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/Di7tIpW

'No burp' syndrome causes causes flatulence, 'awkward gurgling'

A rare condition called "retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction" makes people unable to burp and can lead to troubling symptoms.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/FYr719m

China's secret space plane deploys 6 unknown objects in orbit, and some are emitting signals

Four days after launching on its third-ever mission, China's mysterious Shenlong robotic space plane has deployed 6 unknown objects into orbit. Some of them appear to be emitting signals.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/cqf5UJ7

World's oldest known fort was constructed by hunter-gatherers 8,000 years ago in Siberia

The fact that this Stone Age fort was built by hunter-gatherers is transforming our understanding of ancient human societies.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/0cbyRNz

NASA finds key ingredient for life gushing out of Saturn's icy moon Enceladus

Scientists have discovered complex molecules in the gas and vapor plumes escaping from Enceladus's icy core — and one of them, hydrogen cyanide, is a precursor for life.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/sh1FxBy

Iceland volcano spewing enough lava to fill an Olympic swimming pool in 20 seconds

A volcanic eruption on Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula that began on Monday (Dec. 18) appears to be slowing down, but only time will tell how long the unrest will last, officials say.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/w52Uzys

Iceland volcano erupts as thousands of people evacuate

The volcano on Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland began erupting on Monday (Dec. 18).

via Livescience https://ift.tt/o7dTMZw

New algorithm dramatically cuts unnecessary antibiotic use in kids

An algorithm reduced rates of antibiotics use in kids treated at Tanzanian primary care facilities without compromising their chances of getting better.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/pDjXOIe

Oldest known ship burial discovered in Norway predates Vikings

Rivets found at the site hint that the burial mound once housed a pre-Viking ship.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/hYpFmfz

72 million-year-old 'blue dragon' unearthed in Japan is unlike anything we've ever seen, experts say

The near-complete remains of a never-before-seen mosasaur that dominated the ancient Pacific Ocean have been unearthed in Japan. The great white shark-size creature is unlike any other aquatic animal, dead or alive.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/l0E5bFr

Statins may reduce blood-clot risk in menopausal women on hormone therapy, study hints

Hormone therapy for menopause might be made safer by taking statins at the same time, a study hints.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/gDL1mGM

How many times has the sun traveled around the Milky Way?

Our solar system has been orbiting the Milky Way's black hole heart for 4.6 billion years. But it is hard to pin down exactly how many trips around the galaxy our sun has made during that time.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/3xocmI8

Science news this week: A dolphin with thumbs and a massive quantum chip

Dec. 17, 2023: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/dqa2WQL

James Webb telescope discovers oldest black hole in the universe

The James Webb Space Telescope's discovery of the universe's oldest black holes is giving astronomers some vital clues for how they came to be.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/qUdI20g

Why are tarantulas so hairy?

Tarantulas use their "hair" for all kinds of things, including smelling and tasting.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/z1SHnph

Sand striker: The glittering 'bobbit' worm that chops fish in half with its retractable jaws

Sand strikers — also known as bobbit worms — reach up to 10 feet long. They have razor-sharp jaws they use to catch unsuspecting fish and can split into bits to regenerate.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/GCK20NE

ISS astronaut captures constellation of icebergs in amazing space photos

European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen shared a series of lovely photos showing Earth's fleeting icebergs as seen from the International Space Station.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/ypCWS63

What would happen if you drilled all the way through Earth?

Intense pressure and sweltering temperature would accompany a trip down through Earth's layers and out through the other side. However, this trip would be possible only in science fiction.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/zSqfvyH

Can you really be allergic to the sun?

A number of medical conditions can cause an allergic reaction to ultraviolet light from the sun.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/HMnqGCe

This powerful desktop is ideal for coding, and it's $400 off

Save big on the Dell Inspiron 27-inch desktop, perfect for multitaskers.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/bYwKuoW

Sargasso Sea around Bermuda is now at its hottest, most acidic and oxygen-starved than at any point in recorded history

The Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean is now at least 30% more acidic and 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than it was 40 years ago — and climate change is to blame.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/jJEgFzZ

'Long flu' is real, and we've likely 'ignored it for a long time'

Both COVID-19 and the flu can come with a long-term, heightened risk of death, hospital readmission and health issues affecting multiple organ systems.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/AvsXFGP

1st evidence of nuclear fission in stars hints at elements 'never produced on Earth'

An analysis of 42 ancient stars in the Milky Way reveals the first hints of nuclear fission in the cosmos, hinting at the existence of elements far heavier than anything found naturally on Earth.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/Si9ajcF

California redwoods 'killed' by wildfire come back to life with 2,000-year-old buds

New buds are sprouting through the charred remains of California redwoods that burned in 2020, suggesting the trees are more resilient to wildfires than thought.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/pjDQFaZ

Elon Musk just teased Telsa’s new Optimus Gen-2 robot with a video featuring a funky treat at the end

Tesla's Optimus Gen-2 has come a long way since the firm's first Bumble-C machine in 2022 and can manipulate delicate objects with its fingers.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/kU7jplQ

NASA shares incredible footage of Artemis I capsule hurtling through Earth's atmosphere after historic moon voyage

Watch NASA's Orion crew capsule make the fiery descent through Earth's atmosphere in this epic new spacecraft footage.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/gB5yD12

2,200-year-old tiles found in Jerusalem provide direct link to the history of Hanukkah

Archaeologists in Jerusalem have unearthed 16 ceramic tile fragments used in the construction of a Greek fortress.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/vQcM9i2

'What is that material?': Potentially hazardous asteroid Bennu stumps scientists with its odd makeup

Scientists found signs of organic molecules in the first samples of potentially hazardous asteroid Bennu, as well as a 'head scratching' material that has yet to be identified.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/b6keW0I

Pick up healthy 39% discount on this pair of kettlebells

Save $34 right now at Amazon on these 20lbs and 25 lbs kettlebells to raise your heart rate, boost your metabolism, and build muscle all over.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/C6uKD9W

Gemini AI: What do we know about Google's answer to ChatGPT?

Most AI models like ChatGPT can only understand and generate one type of content — like text, audio, images or video — but Google's Gemini can generate them all.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/NBIAXxJ

Future humans could use black holes as batteries, physics paper claims. Here's how.

Black holes are some of the most powerful objects in the universe — and humans could devise ways to harness that power as an energy source, a new theoretical study claims.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/lcME7He

Deadly Rocky Mountain spotted fever seen in travelers to Mexico

The CDC issued a health alert about cases of the tick-spread disease Rocky Mountain spotted fever seen among people who recently traveled to or lived in Tecate, Baja California.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/EM8OSsU

Extremely rare dolphin with thumbs photographed in Greek gulf

A dolphin with deformed flippers that look like thumbs was spotted in the Gulf of Corinth in July 2023. It likely acquired what appears to be a genetic defect during development in the womb, experts say.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/naJUXeB

Hammerhead sharks are vanishing from their mountain homes in the Gulf of California, divers say

Scalloped hammerhead sharks used to seek refuge at two Mexican seamounts, but it appears fishing has killed them off.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/TRDJEhj

Tsunamis up to 90 feet high smash into New Zealand every 580 years, study finds

A new method of assessing tsunami risk in New Zealand finds that giant waves could hit the country's shores once every 500 years.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/tHEUpOz

When did Homo sapiens first appear?

What's the oldest fossil evidence humans have for our species?

via Livescience https://ift.tt/eWKtnNf

'If you don't have inflammation, then you'll die': How scientists are reprogramming the body's natural superpower

Inflammation can be both a superhero and a villain, depending on the context. Rather than eliminating it completely, new treatments are trying to redirect it.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/7Kx0UiQ

What happens in your body during a fever?

People often experience fevers when they get sick. But what is going on in your body as your temperature spikes?

via Livescience https://ift.tt/nwRPbDh

How many times has Earth orbited the sun?

We worked out how many trips each of the solar system's eight planets has taken around the sun over the past 4.6 billion years.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/kIdLtmp

More than 1,000 species live in and around an ordinary suburban house, survey in Australia shows.

A house in Australia harbored more than 400 moths and butterflies, and hundreds of other species, including ones never documented before.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/XhvRABr

Newly-formed volcanic island near Japan is still growing, satellite reveals

The island forged in fire off the coast of Japan in Oct this year is still growing, as seen in a Copernicus Sentinel-2 image caught on Nov. 27.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/lI5jAsi

Why do some people have perfect pitch?

Only 1 in 10,000 people can recognize musical notes on the spot. Why?

via Livescience https://ift.tt/hReYi3q

Halley's Comet begins its return journey to Earth Saturday

Halley's Comet is predicted to reach its farthest point from the sun on Dec. 9, beginning a 38-year journey toward Earth that culminates in 2061.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/msAvxC4

Brain inflammation may drive mood changes in Alzheimer's

Agitation, anxiety and depression seen in people with Alzheimer's may be driven by brain inflammation, in addition to abnormal proteins.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/CoG5PKI

This Lenovo laptop is under $130 at Best Buy

Save almost 50% on this nifty Ideapad laptop.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/vqVDU0M

Can antiviral drugs prevent long COVID?

Experts explain what we know about preventing and treating long COVID, at this point.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/Y2gTBQF

What is a supervolcano? The answer isn't so simple.

Supervolcanoes are defined by their ability to produce supereruptions — explosions of more than 240 cubic miles of volcanic material. But scientists disagree on how useful the term is.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/byT2K3j

Scientists are searching for alien signals at frequencies never studied before

The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) continues as scientists look to low-frequency radio waves that have long gone unexplored.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/mdPpo6F

7 nations are sending 'one heck of a Christmas present' to the moon on Dec. 24. Here's what's inside.

NASA and scientists from around the world are sending new science instruments, as well as a few stocking stuffers, to the moon on Dec. 24 in the debut launch of a new rocket.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/0mRHs1P

Half-asleep bears are wandering around Siberia because it's too hot to hibernate

Bears that are struggling to hibernate due to abnormally warm weather in Russia's Amur region are wandering around in a daze, having suppressed their metabolism in preparation for winter.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/LwS03oi

One of the brightest stars in the sky will 'blink out' on Dec. 12. Here's how to watch.

Betelgeuse, the most famous red supergiant star and one of the sky's brightest, will disappear for up to 12 seconds during an ultra-rare occultation by asteroid 319 Leona.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/t68Sgfc

How to see the bright Andromeda Galaxy shine overhead this week

Located about 2.5 million light-years from our solar system, Andromeda is the most distant object visible to the naked eye.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/2Cufd9m

Mercury may have a 'potentially habitable' region below its surface, salty glaciers suggest

Salty glaciers discovered in craters near Mercury's north pole may have the right conditions for extreme forms of life, new research suggests.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/XgHzbeS

Breach of key global warming threshold 'inevitable' as carbon emissions hit record high

At the current emissions level, there is a 50% chance that global warming will exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius consistently in about seven years, new research suggests.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/sHpbWE1

'Extremely high' number of pneumonia cases strike kids in Ohio county

Common respiratory viruses and bacteria are likely behind the uptick in pediatric pneumonia in Warren County, Ohio.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/z3GgTBH

Solar storm from 1977 reveals how unprepared we are for the next 'big one'

New research finds that solar storms vary in strength over surprisingly short distances, and the current network of sensors may not be enough to properly prepare for future outbursts.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/wAgXE05

Is Earth inside a giant void? It could solve one of cosmology's biggest puzzles

Our best observations can't come up with a single answer for how quickly the universe is expanding. Maybe that's because our galaxy is at the center of a giant void.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/P1pIsgd

A Russian cargo ship burnt to a crisp in Earth's atmosphere while ISS astronauts watched

A Russian spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station, only to burn up in Earth's atmosphere hours later as part of a routine waste disposal mission.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/BQauijy

What does space smell like?

Outer space has a particular stench. But why?

via Livescience https://ift.tt/th3L6YF

Science news this week: Atmospheric holes and smarter glasses

Dec. 3, 2023: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/EFlm61N

US Space Force delays launch of secretive space plane to Dec. 10

The U.S. military's elusive X-37B space plane has postponed its next launch by three days. Based on the rocket its riding on, the secretive spacecraft is likely launching farther than ever before.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/6dH3i2S

Space photo of the week: China's 'heavenly place' space station looms in 1st complete image

Chinese astronauts recently captured the first clear shot of the completed Tiangong space station as they were leaving the orbiting habitat to return to Earth.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/d6c0tym

How long will Earth exist?

Humans will likely die long before our planet does.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/MlPSGV5

What is Point Nemo, the remote, watery satellite graveyard where the ISS will go to die?

In the furthest, deepest reaches of the ocean, there is a watery graveyard where the world's satellites and space stations go to rest.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/CxZSQ54

'Impossible' orange auroras spotted in UK after solar storm slams into Earth

Rarely seen orange auroras, which technically shouldn't exist, were recently photographed in the sky above Scotland after an explosive solar storm smashed into Earth.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/fL1lK2y

Why does ice float?

Why does ice float in water, instead of sinking to the bottom? It has to do with water's density and molecular structure.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/leWENxO

Kids under 5 with HIV are dying at high rates. Here's why.

Among people on HIV meds, young children are the likeliest to die, often due to late diagnosis or treatment interruptions.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/zdyLGU5

Adorable, newfound pygmy squid species named after Japanese forest fairies

Two new species of pygmy squid have been discovered off Okinawa and named after mythical creatures.

via Livescience https://ift.tt/Hb6kgzd