science

UN Warns of Increasingly Erratic Global Water Cycle

Climate change is spurring increasingly erratic and extreme swings between deluge and drought across the world, the United Nations warned on Thursday. The UN's World Meteorological Organization said in a report that the world's water cycle was becoming ever more unpredictable, with shrinking glaciers, droughts, unbalanced river basins, and severe ...

Down Syndrome: Japanese Breakthrough Erases the Extra Chromosome

It is a milestone in the history of Down syndrome research. A team from Mie University in Japan has shown that it is possible, through CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, to erase the supernumerary chromosome that causes the condition, at least in cells grown in labs. The announcement, published in the scientific journal PNAS Nexus, made headlines, as it ...

Enteromix: Breakthrough or Mirage in Russia’s Anti-Cancer Vaccine?

Moscow made headlines with a bold claim. According to Russian researchers, the Enteromix vaccine offers total effectiveness against certain cancers. Hailed as a major scientific breakthrough and promised free of charge to the public, this therapeutic treatment has sparked both excitement and skepticism. But what does this announcement really ...

Does Intelligence Really Come from the Mother? Science Explains

The notion that a child's intelligence stems primarily from their mother is a persistent belief, amplified by popular media and casual conversation. It portrays mothers as the chief architects of cognitive potential, an idea that’s both appealing and seemingly rooted in biology. Science, however, paints a much more complex picture. It is true ...

Brain Freeze: Why Can Ice Cream Knock Us Out?

It’s an experience many of us have had, often while sitting at a café terrace in summer or sharing a bowl of ice cream with friends. You take a bite, swallow too quickly, and suddenly a sharp pain shoots across your forehead, a jolt so sudden it makes you stop in your tracks. The term “brain freeze” captures this almost absurd sensation, as ...

Brazil: Why Lightning (Almost) Always Spares Christ the Redeemer

Standing 38 meters tall, arms outstretched atop Mount Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer watches over Rio de Janeiro. But this stone guardian, national symbol of Brazil, is also a prime target for lightning strikes. At nearly 710 meters above sea level and perched in isolation, the statue is struck an average of four to six times per year. During ...

Underwater Serenade: The Surprising Songs of Leopard Seals

When male leopard seals dive down into icy Antarctic waters, they sing songs structured like nursery rhymes in performances that can last up to 13 hours, scientists said Thursday. The Australian-led team of researchers compared the complexity of the songs composed by the big blubbery mammals to those of other animals, as well as human musicians ...

Elemind: The Smart Headband That Puts You to Sleep Without Pills

Falling asleep without pills, sleeping aids, herbal teas or guided meditation—that’s the bold promise behind Elemind. Born from MIT’s research labs, this seemingly simple headband targets one of modern life’s most persistent struggles: difficulty falling asleep, which affects millions worldwide. The claim is compelling: a nearly 50% ...

Vaccine Against Cavities? Researchers Reach a Milestone

What if, in the near future, simply applying a product to your teeth could protect you from cavities? A scenario that once seemed like science fiction is becoming increasingly plausible as research advances. For years, scientists have been working on a vaccine against dental cavities, the world’s most common chronic infectious disease. Now, ...

Does Your Cat Talk to You? An AI Claims It Can Understand

When it comes to human-animal communication, cats have always had the upper hand. They observe us, manipulate us with their gaze, wake us up for mysterious reasons and sometimes meow endlessly. But what are they really trying to say? For years, cat owners have wondered: Is this meow a request for food, a complaint or just a greeting? Until now, ...

What If Whales Could Speak? AI Is Listening In

For decades, scientists believed whales sang only to navigate, attract mates or maintain social bond. But recent research by the SETI Institute and the University of California, Davis is challenging this view. Using AI, researchers have identified remarkably structured acoustic patterns and behaviors suggesting some cetaceans may be attempting to ...