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A 26,000-Year Astronomical Monument Hidden in Plain Sight
The western flank of the Hoover Dam holds a celestial map that marks the time of the dam’s creation based on the 25,772-year axial precession of the earth.
Topics /
Science & Space
The most popular blog posts about science & space on Hacker News. 2,418 posts.
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Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)
Dear Doctors: I’ve been hearing a lot about PFAS and how they have an adverse effect on our health. I read that some food wrappers, like bags for microwave popcorn, use PFAS to keep food from sticking. My kids eat microwaved popcorn almost every night. Should I be worried?
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‘Dancing molecules’ successfully repair severe spinal cord injuries
Researchers have developed an injectable therapy based on nanofibers that has enabled paralyzed mice with severe spinal cord injuries to regain the ability to walk.
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MIT asks arXiv to withdraw preprint of paper on AI and scientific discovery
Following the posting of the preprint paper “Artificial Intelligence, Scientific Discovery, and Product Innovation” on arXiv in November 2024, concerns were raised about the integrity of the research. MIT conducted an internal, confidential review and concluded that the paper should be withdrawn from public discourse.
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Enhancing gut-brain communication reversed cognitive decline in aging mice
Aging causes changes in gut bacteria in mice, which hampers communication between the intestines and the brain. Restoring this connection helped old mice form memories as well as young animals.
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Terraform makes carbon neutral natural gas
We did it! After two years of hard work we hold in our hands hard proof that the incredible team at Terraform can make synthetic natural gas from sunlight and air, as reported in TechCrunch. Last W…
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Researchers design wearable tech that can sense glucose levels more accurately
Imagine shrinking satellite technology that predicts the weather into a device that transmits vital information about the health of the person wearing it.
279
Grapevine canes can be converted into plastic-like material that will decompose
A new study from South Dakota State University reveals how grapevine canes can be converted into plastic-like material that is stronger than traditional plastic and will decompose in the environment in a relatively short amount of time.
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Banning lead in gas worked. The proof is in our hair
Researchers analyzed samples of Utahns' hair going back a century to document a 100-fold decrease in lead concentrations.
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The first plasma: the Wendelstein 7-X fusion device is now in operation
Start of operation and first plasma in the Wendelstein 7-X fusion research device at IPP Greifswald
283
The Shortest Papers Ever Published (2016)
A few of the most concise papers ever published.
284
Popular seafood species in sharp decline around the world
Fish market favourites such as orange roughy, common octopus and pink conch are among the species of fish and invertebrates in rapid decline around the world, according to new research.
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Meditation study shows changes associated with awareness, stress (2011)
Harvard researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital find that participating in an eight-week mindfulness meditation program appears to make measurable changes in brain regions associated with memory, sense of self, empathy, and stress.
286
Our biggest ever river catch?
Interceptor 006 captured over 250 truckloads of trash – and counting – in just a few hours in the first flood of the year.
287
Intelligent Brains Take Longer to Solve Difficult Problems
Do intelligent people think faster? Researchers at the BIH and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, together with a colleague from Barcelona, made the surprising finding that participants with higher intelligence scores were only quicker when tackling simple tasks, while they took longer to solve difficult problems…
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Webb placed on top of Ariane 5
On Saturday 11 December, the James Webb Space Telescope was placed on top of the Ariane 5 rocket that will launch it to space from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
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‘Pre-bunk’ game reduces susceptibility to disinformation
Study of thousands of players shows a simple online game works like a 'vaccine', increasing skepticism of fake news by giving people a “weak dose” of the methods behind disinformation.
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3-D printed plastic objects that can communicate with WiFi devices
UW engineers have developed the first 3-D printed plastic objects that can connect to other devices via WiFi without using any electronics, including a laundry
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Three hours to save Integral spacecraft
On 22 September, around midday, ESA’s Integral spacecraft went into emergency Safe Mode. One of the spacecraft’s three active ‘reaction wheels’ had turned off without warning and stopped spinning, causing a ripple effect that meant the satellite itself began to rotate.
292
Battery Pack Prices Fall As Market Ramps Up
Access the latest perspectives on the energy transition with samples of research reports and data-driven analysis from BNEF experts.
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MIT researchers develop a paper thin loudspeaker
MIT researchers created an ultrathin loudspeaker that can turn any rigid surface into a high-quality, active audio source. The fabrication process can enable the thin-film devices to be produced at scale.
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Weather forecasts have become more accurate
A four-day forecast today is as accurate as a one-day forecast 30 years ago.
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Royal Astronomical Society: all journals to publish as open access from 2024
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) has today announced that all journals published by the Society will be Open Access (OA) from January 2024. This move will enable...
299
Plastic-eating enzyme could eliminate billions of tons of landfill waste
AUSTIN, Texas — An enzyme variant created by engineers and scientists at The University of Texas at Austin can break down environment-throttling plastics
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GIMPS Project Discovers Largest Known Prime Number
Discovery of the 50th known Mersenne Prime.