16 hours ago
Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have watched our planet's seasons from **** e and discovered that spring, summer, winter, and fall are surprisingly out of sync.
Just because two places exist in the same hemisphere, at similar altitudes, or at the same latitude doesn't guarantee they'll experience the same seasonal changes at the same time.
Even regions that are side by side can experience different weather and ecological patterns, sculpting wildly different neighboring habitats.
Related: Scientists Detected Signs of a Structure Hiding Inside Earth's Core
It's similar
Just because two places exist in the same hemisphere, at similar altitudes, or at the same latitude doesn't guarantee they'll experience the same seasonal changes at the same time.
Even regions that are side by side can experience different weather and ecological patterns, sculpting wildly different neighboring habitats.
Related: Scientists Detected Signs of a Structure Hiding Inside Earth's Core
It's similar
17 hours ago
The winter solstice is upon us, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year.
People across the country have already faced multiple blankets of white snow where they live, but the winter solstice marks the first official day of winter.
The solstice also marks the start of the Pagan holiday, Yule, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. The holiday is thought to celebrate the sun's return and the land's rebirth as days begin to get longer after the longest night of the year.
The solstice is celebrated by many as a time of rebirth and change. Many cultures throughout human history ha
People across the country have already faced multiple blankets of white snow where they live, but the winter solstice marks the first official day of winter.
The solstice also marks the start of the Pagan holiday, Yule, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. The holiday is thought to celebrate the sun's return and the land's rebirth as days begin to get longer after the longest night of the year.
The solstice is celebrated by many as a time of rebirth and change. Many cultures throughout human history ha
18 hours ago
Alabamians may have already dusted off their coats and heaters, but official winter doesn’t start until the winter solstice. That’s the astronomical signal that the days are at their shortest and the nights are at their longest.
What is winter solstice, and when does it begin? Here’s what to know.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere arrives on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at 10:03 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. For Alabama residents, that means the shortest day and longest night of the year will start at 9:03 a.m.
On the winter solstice in Alabam
What is winter solstice, and when does it begin? Here’s what to know.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere arrives on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at 10:03 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. For Alabama residents, that means the shortest day and longest night of the year will start at 9:03 a.m.
On the winter solstice in Alabam
19 hours ago
How DNA and ballistics tie Claudio Neves Valente to Brown, MIT shootings
Investigators offered more information late Friday, Dec. 18, about the weapons discovered at the New Hampshire storage facility along with the body of Claudio Neves Valente, the man who shot and killed two Brown University students and injured nine others on Dec. 13 and killed MIT professor Nuno Loureiro two days later.
Ted Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said in a news release that two 9mm pistols were recovered by the FBI’s Evidence Response Team and sent
Investigators offered more information late Friday, Dec. 18, about the weapons discovered at the New Hampshire storage facility along with the body of Claudio Neves Valente, the man who shot and killed two Brown University students and injured nine others on Dec. 13 and killed MIT professor Nuno Loureiro two days later.
Ted Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said in a news release that two 9mm pistols were recovered by the FBI’s Evidence Response Team and sent
21 hours ago
A Blue Origin rocket will soon launch carrying an unconventional passenger in a history-making moment made possible by a high-profile former employee of the company’s biggest rival.
Michaela Benthaus, an aerospace and mechatronics engineer at the European ******* e Agency, will be aboard the mission, known as NS-37, and become the first wheelchair user to travel to ******* e. The unprecedented opportunity came together after encounter between Benthaus and Hans Koenigsmann, a former executive at ******* eX — Blue Origin’s chief competitor.
Koenigsmann, like Benthaus, is German, and the two of
Michaela Benthaus, an aerospace and mechatronics engineer at the European ******* e Agency, will be aboard the mission, known as NS-37, and become the first wheelchair user to travel to ******* e. The unprecedented opportunity came together after encounter between Benthaus and Hans Koenigsmann, a former executive at ******* eX — Blue Origin’s chief competitor.
Koenigsmann, like Benthaus, is German, and the two of
22 hours ago
These “Living Rocks” Are Living It Up
You might think you’re looking at a bunch of mossy rocks, but you’re actually gazing at some of the world’s oldest living creatures—and they’re doing great.
Communities of microbes gobble up dissolved minerals in water and turn them into these solid, rock-like structures called microbialites. Researchers have found fossilized microbialites that are around 3.7 to 3.5 billion years old, which might represent the oldest organisms found on Earth.
Around a billion years after that, microbialites may have transformed our planet forever—researchers think tha
You might think you’re looking at a bunch of mossy rocks, but you’re actually gazing at some of the world’s oldest living creatures—and they’re doing great.
Communities of microbes gobble up dissolved minerals in water and turn them into these solid, rock-like structures called microbialites. Researchers have found fossilized microbialites that are around 3.7 to 3.5 billion years old, which might represent the oldest organisms found on Earth.
Around a billion years after that, microbialites may have transformed our planet forever—researchers think tha
23 hours ago
(NewsNation) — Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb appears to be walking back his attention-grabbing theory that an interstellar object known as 3I/ATLAS could be some sort of alien technology sent to spy on Earth.
Much of the scientific community has said 3I/ATLAS is merely a comet, albeit a large one with unusual properties. The object reached its closest point to the Earth this week — if 170 million miles can be considered close — and was last seen heading out into ****** e beyond the solar system.
“So far, so good,” Loeb told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” on Monday. “3I/ATLAS did not maneuver o
Much of the scientific community has said 3I/ATLAS is merely a comet, albeit a large one with unusual properties. The object reached its closest point to the Earth this week — if 170 million miles can be considered close — and was last seen heading out into ****** e beyond the solar system.
“So far, so good,” Loeb told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” on Monday. “3I/ATLAS did not maneuver o
24 hours ago
Accusations of narcissism are so rampant today in popular culture that the term may be on the road to losing all meaning. But in our era of self-absorbed social media, some psychologists report that the trait—meant to describe someone who is low on empathy and inflated with self-regard—may be on the rise, particularly among young people, particularly in the West.
Recently, a team of scientists set out to determine what demographic and cultural factors actually count when it comes to the prevalence of narcissism. The results were surprising. For one thing, the team discovered that narcissism m
Recently, a team of scientists set out to determine what demographic and cultural factors actually count when it comes to the prevalence of narcissism. The results were surprising. For one thing, the team discovered that narcissism m
1 day ago
Air pollution isn't just bad for human health; it also poses an existential threat to certain fly species.
New research from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology found that elevated ozone levels inhibit mating among flies.
Ozone in the stratosphere helps protect the Earth from dangerous UV radiation. But down here, the gas is a threat to our health, food supply, and biodiversity. The latter is apparent in this recent study, which found that ozone exposure significantly degrades fly pheromones.
When this happens, male and female flies have a hard time recognizing each other, renderi
New research from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology found that elevated ozone levels inhibit mating among flies.
Ozone in the stratosphere helps protect the Earth from dangerous UV radiation. But down here, the gas is a threat to our health, food supply, and biodiversity. The latter is apparent in this recent study, which found that ozone exposure significantly degrades fly pheromones.
When this happens, male and female flies have a hard time recognizing each other, renderi
1 day ago
Want to see what **** e really looks like? Scientists just released a stunning new cosmic map
NASA has released a stunning new map of the cosmos, one that the agency says could help scientists solve some of the universe’s longstanding mysteries.
Taken using the agency’s SPHEREx **** e telescope, the first all-sky map simulates the instrument’s three-dimensional view of the sky, including the burnt red cosmic dust, electric blue hydrogen gas and white, blue and green stars.
The panoramic view captures these and dozens of other colors using the telescope’s ability to see infrared wavelength
NASA has released a stunning new map of the cosmos, one that the agency says could help scientists solve some of the universe’s longstanding mysteries.
Taken using the agency’s SPHEREx **** e telescope, the first all-sky map simulates the instrument’s three-dimensional view of the sky, including the burnt red cosmic dust, electric blue hydrogen gas and white, blue and green stars.
The panoramic view captures these and dozens of other colors using the telescope’s ability to see infrared wavelength
1 day ago
A star becoming a black hole happens in the same way as Ernest Hemingway described going bankrupt: “First it happens gradually, then all at once.” The gradual part of the process can take a lot longer than the time it takes to drain a bank account—billions of years in some cases. That’s why astronomers were puzzled when they found evidence that supermassive black holes existed less than a billion years after the Big Bang.
In order for the timeframe to make sense, the stars that collapsed to form these black holes would’ve had to have been gargantuan—1,000 to 10,000 more massive than our sun.
In order for the timeframe to make sense, the stars that collapsed to form these black holes would’ve had to have been gargantuan—1,000 to 10,000 more massive than our sun.
1 day ago
Along with its many other innovations, the Roman Empire revolutionized architecture with never-before-seen features, such as large-scale arches and dome roofs. And many of these structures still stand today despite being more than 2,000 years old.
None of it would have been possible without the Romans’ infallible building material: self-healing concrete. Now, an ancient construction site has revealed the recipe for creating this sturdy foundation.
At the time Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, covering Pompeii in as much as 6 meters (19.7 feet) of volcanic ash, construction workers were in the
None of it would have been possible without the Romans’ infallible building material: self-healing concrete. Now, an ancient construction site has revealed the recipe for creating this sturdy foundation.
At the time Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, covering Pompeii in as much as 6 meters (19.7 feet) of volcanic ash, construction workers were in the
1 day ago
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Suspect in Brown University shooting and MIT professor's killing had been dead for 2 days when found, autopsy determines.
Law enforcement officials say the same gunman who opened fire at Brown University also shot and killed an MIT professor two days later. He was found dead Thursday night.
https://www.yahoo.com/news...
Law enforcement officials say the same gunman who opened fire at Brown University also shot and killed an MIT professor two days later. He was found dead Thursday night.
https://www.yahoo.com/news...
1 day ago
There are plenty of annual recap lists circulating around this time of year, but few of them involve the amount of work put in by California’s Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). Over the past year, researchers guided remotely operated vehicles more than 3,000 feet down to survey the vast biodiversity within some of the oceans’ deepest and darkest regions. The data and footage collected during these trips will help experts fill in the gaps towards understanding the planet’s hardest-to-reach ecosystems.
To celebrate the past 12 months of discoveries, MBARI released a video highli
To celebrate the past 12 months of discoveries, MBARI released a video highli
1 day ago
You may have seen headlines or social media posts talking about a weakening of Earth’s magnetic field, specifically over the South Atlantic.
It sounds dramatic, and a little scary. Is Earth losing its protective shield? Are we in danger? What exactly does this mean for people on the ground?
To get the facts straight, we spoke with Manoj Nair, a senior research scientist at CIRES at the University of Colorado and an affiliate at NOAA, who studies Earth’s magnetic field for a living.
His takeaway is reassuring: this is fascinating science and important for satellites, but not something the av
It sounds dramatic, and a little scary. Is Earth losing its protective shield? Are we in danger? What exactly does this mean for people on the ground?
To get the facts straight, we spoke with Manoj Nair, a senior research scientist at CIRES at the University of Colorado and an affiliate at NOAA, who studies Earth’s magnetic field for a living.
His takeaway is reassuring: this is fascinating science and important for satellites, but not something the av
1 day ago
This cosmic baby photo collection contains 31 young star systems, images captured by the Atacama Large Millimeter Array in Chile. In the bottom right corner, you’ll find a simulation of our own solar system at just 1 million years old. The infant stars at the center of these systems formed from large clumps of super chilly dust and gas that buckled under their own gravity. Over many millennia, this material spins into disks with dense, sizzling centers that morph into stars.
The surrounding disks are known as protoplanetary disks, and scientists think that the leftover gas and dust within the
The surrounding disks are known as protoplanetary disks, and scientists think that the leftover gas and dust within the
1 day ago
Getty Images tried to sue an AI company for copyright infringement, but its claim was rejected in court.
Getty Images is widely known for the array of stock images it offers, but the multi-million dollar company recently faced a disappointing court ruling when it tried to protect its intellectual property from the company, Stability AI.
Reporting by Reuters investigated the lawsuit, in which Getty Images accused Stability AI of "training" its image generators from copyrighted Getty Images stock pictures. However, the major corporation largely lost its lawsuit, exposing a lack of protection f
Getty Images is widely known for the array of stock images it offers, but the multi-million dollar company recently faced a disappointing court ruling when it tried to protect its intellectual property from the company, Stability AI.
Reporting by Reuters investigated the lawsuit, in which Getty Images accused Stability AI of "training" its image generators from copyrighted Getty Images stock pictures. However, the major corporation largely lost its lawsuit, exposing a lack of protection f
2 days ago
Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Comet 3I/ATLAS passed its nearest point to Earth early Friday and approaching within 168 million miles.
After its brief visit Friday the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS will head back toward the outer solar system before continuing its journey through the Milky Way, according to scientists.
3I/ATLAS was only the third known interstellar object to enter our solar system, following 'Oumuamua in 2017 and Borisov in 2019.
Its arrival gave scientists a rare chance to study the building blocks of distant comets and planets.
NASA first detected the object in July, tracing its path b
After its brief visit Friday the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS will head back toward the outer solar system before continuing its journey through the Milky Way, according to scientists.
3I/ATLAS was only the third known interstellar object to enter our solar system, following 'Oumuamua in 2017 and Borisov in 2019.
Its arrival gave scientists a rare chance to study the building blocks of distant comets and planets.
NASA first detected the object in July, tracing its path b
2 days ago
Friday, Dec. 19 is the day that astronomers, amateur stargazers and alien conspiracy theorists alike have been waiting for: Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is as close to Earth as it will ever get.
The strange interloper in our solar system has for months attracted no shortage of public fascination as it whizzed its way first past Mars, and then the sun. Now, more than five months since it was first discovered, 3I/ATLAS has made its closest approach to Earth.
But lest you think that an extraterrestrial invasion is upon us, know that the comet still is not coming within about 170 million miles of
The strange interloper in our solar system has for months attracted no shortage of public fascination as it whizzed its way first past Mars, and then the sun. Now, more than five months since it was first discovered, 3I/ATLAS has made its closest approach to Earth.
But lest you think that an extraterrestrial invasion is upon us, know that the comet still is not coming within about 170 million miles of
2 days ago
Every animal with a brain needs sleep — and even a few without a brain do, too. Humans sleep, birds sleep, whales sleep and even jellyfish sleep.
Sleep is universal “even though it’s actually very risky,” said Paul-Antoine Libourel, a researcher at the Neuroscience Research Center of Lyon in France.
When animals nod off, they're most vulnerable to sneaky predators. But despite the risks, the need for sleep is so strong that no creature can skip it altogether, even when it's highly inconvenient.
Animals that navigate extreme conditions and environments have evolved to sleep in extreme ways —
Sleep is universal “even though it’s actually very risky,” said Paul-Antoine Libourel, a researcher at the Neuroscience Research Center of Lyon in France.
When animals nod off, they're most vulnerable to sneaky predators. But despite the risks, the need for sleep is so strong that no creature can skip it altogether, even when it's highly inconvenient.
Animals that navigate extreme conditions and environments have evolved to sleep in extreme ways —
2 days ago
Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are racing to put humans back on the moon for the first time in 50 years.
New NASA boss Jared Isaacman said the agency will pick whichever company finishes its lunar lander first.
Acting NASA head Sean Duffy reopened ******* eX's contract in October, saying Musk's company was "behind schedule."
NASA's new boss has reiterated the stakes for the lunar race between Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.
On his first day in the job, Jared Isaacman said the ******* e agency would pick whichever company finished its moon lander first, out of Musk's ******* eX or Bezos' Blue Origin.
New NASA boss Jared Isaacman said the agency will pick whichever company finishes its lunar lander first.
Acting NASA head Sean Duffy reopened ******* eX's contract in October, saying Musk's company was "behind schedule."
NASA's new boss has reiterated the stakes for the lunar race between Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.
On his first day in the job, Jared Isaacman said the ******* e agency would pick whichever company finished its moon lander first, out of Musk's ******* eX or Bezos' Blue Origin.
2 days ago
Today is the day that astronomers, amateur stargazers and alien conspiracy theorists alike have been waiting for: interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is as close to Earth as it will ever get.
The strange interloper in our solar system has for months attracted no shortage of public fascination as it whizzed its way first past Mars, and then the sun. Now, more than five months since it was first discovered, 3I/ATLAS has made its closest approach to Earth.
But lest you think that an extraterrestrial invasion is upon us, know that the comet still is not coming much within about 170 million miles of our
The strange interloper in our solar system has for months attracted no shortage of public fascination as it whizzed its way first past Mars, and then the sun. Now, more than five months since it was first discovered, 3I/ATLAS has made its closest approach to Earth.
But lest you think that an extraterrestrial invasion is upon us, know that the comet still is not coming much within about 170 million miles of our
14 days ago
Chestnut farmers are struggling to produce robust crop yields due to the effects of Earth's warming.
According to Ekathimerini, summer droughts across villages near Mount Pelion in Greece have disrupted chestnut production.
Giorgos Nanos, a professor at the Arboriculture Laboratory of the University of Thessaly's School of Agricultural Sciences, said, "This year is one of the worst for chestnut producers in Pelion," per the publication.
In 2024, Reuters reported that chestnut production in Greece dropped by 90%. It seems the situation has not improved since then. Many people in the area dep
According to Ekathimerini, summer droughts across villages near Mount Pelion in Greece have disrupted chestnut production.
Giorgos Nanos, a professor at the Arboriculture Laboratory of the University of Thessaly's School of Agricultural Sciences, said, "This year is one of the worst for chestnut producers in Pelion," per the publication.
In 2024, Reuters reported that chestnut production in Greece dropped by 90%. It seems the situation has not improved since then. Many people in the area dep
14 days ago
Mohit Verma's laboratory at Purdue University has developed a faster and more affordable paper-based biosensor for identifying genetically modified corn and soybeans, providing farmers with more accessible molecular diagnostic tools.
This new GM crop biosensor, which has a patent pending, uses a method called loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) to achieve more cost-effective and efficient testing than more expensive tools already on the market, according to a Purdue report shared by Phys.org.
The research team used their previous work in rapidly detecting highly pathogenic avian in
This new GM crop biosensor, which has a patent pending, uses a method called loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) to achieve more cost-effective and efficient testing than more expensive tools already on the market, according to a Purdue report shared by Phys.org.
The research team used their previous work in rapidly detecting highly pathogenic avian in
14 days ago
Numerous stories have been written about the growing swarm of Starlink satellites in low earth orbit (LEO) over the past few years, as astronomers grow increasingly worried about the crafts’ impact on their observation equipment. Launched by Elon Musk’s ******* eX, each satellite has the potential to disrupt astronomy through both radio emissions and light pollution — and as the number of satellites grows, so too does the amount of interference.
Now, a new study by researchers at NASA is warning that obstructions caused by ******* eX and other private satellite companies are becoming so sever
Now, a new study by researchers at NASA is warning that obstructions caused by ******* eX and other private satellite companies are becoming so sever
15 days ago
Pelicans eye the sky as rocket takes wing in Photo of the Week
It could've been just another shot of a rocket rising, something Malcolm Denemark, FLORIDA TODAY senior photographer, has been behind the camera for again and again in a record-breaking year for launches in Brevard.
The bird, however, is the word in this Photo of the Week, which pictures pelicans viewing the Dec. 2 launch of a ***** eX Falcon 9 rocket carrying a load of Starlink satellites.
Turned out the birds' choice of a landing spot, at just the right time, gave Denemark a shot that took wing.
"It would have been a routin
It could've been just another shot of a rocket rising, something Malcolm Denemark, FLORIDA TODAY senior photographer, has been behind the camera for again and again in a record-breaking year for launches in Brevard.
The bird, however, is the word in this Photo of the Week, which pictures pelicans viewing the Dec. 2 launch of a ***** eX Falcon 9 rocket carrying a load of Starlink satellites.
Turned out the birds' choice of a landing spot, at just the right time, gave Denemark a shot that took wing.
"It would have been a routin
15 days ago
A group of researchers say it's time for academia to get serious about studying UFOs.
The movement, championed by the Society for UAP Studies, is wrapping up an international conference aimed at establishing a new discipline dedicated to studying unidentified anomalous phenomena (or UAPs, the more formal term for UFOs).
Michael Cifone, the society's co-founder and president, said he's interested in what he calls "the empirical weird."
His catch-all phrase encompasses things that blur the lines between the real and the possible, phenomena that defy easy explanation: the spiritual, the parano
The movement, championed by the Society for UAP Studies, is wrapping up an international conference aimed at establishing a new discipline dedicated to studying unidentified anomalous phenomena (or UAPs, the more formal term for UFOs).
Michael Cifone, the society's co-founder and president, said he's interested in what he calls "the empirical weird."
His catch-all phrase encompasses things that blur the lines between the real and the possible, phenomena that defy easy explanation: the spiritual, the parano
15 days ago
In 2002, evolutionary biologist Jenny Graves shared a controversial calculation. The human Y chromosome, she wrote two years later in a commentary, "is running out of time."
The male-determining **** chromosome has lost 97 percent of its ancestral genes in the last 300 million years. If that rate continues, Graves calculated, it could vanish in several million more.
The doomed fate of the Y chromosome quickly took the media by storm, in many cases without the nuance Graves had intended.
Related: Many Men Lose Y Chromosomes as They Age. Now We May Know Why It's So Deadly
Her evolutionary m
The male-determining **** chromosome has lost 97 percent of its ancestral genes in the last 300 million years. If that rate continues, Graves calculated, it could vanish in several million more.
The doomed fate of the Y chromosome quickly took the media by storm, in many cases without the nuance Graves had intended.
Related: Many Men Lose Y Chromosomes as They Age. Now We May Know Why It's So Deadly
Her evolutionary m
15 days ago
Doomsday?
Already?
Wasn't the world supposed to end back in 2012?
Physicist Heinz von Foerster, who passed away in 2002, claimed back in 1960 in the "Science" publication that the world would end sometime in the 2020s, according to a report in Time Magazine.
And we are relatively close to his predicted date. What's more, at the start of 2025, the famous "Doomsday Clock" ticked closer to ultimate destruction.
https://www.yahoo.com/news...
Already?
Wasn't the world supposed to end back in 2012?
Physicist Heinz von Foerster, who passed away in 2002, claimed back in 1960 in the "Science" publication that the world would end sometime in the 2020s, according to a report in Time Magazine.
And we are relatively close to his predicted date. What's more, at the start of 2025, the famous "Doomsday Clock" ticked closer to ultimate destruction.
https://www.yahoo.com/news...
15 days ago
‘The Fall of Icarus’: How the remarkable shot was captured
Standing in Arizona’s largest dry lakebed, Wilcox Playa, astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy steadied himself as freight trains thundered by, threatening to blur the shot that took months to prepare. The crowd around McCarthy watched one morning last month in tense silence as he attempted and failed during six passes of a plane overhead to get the perfect image.
High above, his friend Gabriel C. Brown was perched on the edge of his plane seat, waiting for the signal to leap. “Originally, we we’re like, if we mess up the first attempt
Standing in Arizona’s largest dry lakebed, Wilcox Playa, astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy steadied himself as freight trains thundered by, threatening to blur the shot that took months to prepare. The crowd around McCarthy watched one morning last month in tense silence as he attempted and failed during six passes of a plane overhead to get the perfect image.
High above, his friend Gabriel C. Brown was perched on the edge of his plane seat, waiting for the signal to leap. “Originally, we we’re like, if we mess up the first attempt
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