Auroras — dazzling phenomena that paint the night sky with a myriad of colors — have fascinated humans for thousands of years. Occurring in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, they are known as the aurora borealis and australis, or northern and southern lights, respectively. At the start of 2024, auroras entered a super season, […]
Nature’s light show: Breaking down the 2024 aurora super season Read More »
As the possibility of deep space missions to Mars looms closer, scientists are actively addressing one of the biggest concerns: food. For previous space missions, scientists prioritized providing astronauts with necessary nutrition over food quality. However, this mindset is not sustainable when considering a long-term space mission. With factors like the weight of the food
A garden in the dark Read More »
Katalin Karikó, the 13th woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, was initially demoted from her position at the University of Pennsylvania for the same research on messenger RNA (mRNA) that won her the achievement in 2023. Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman jointly received the award in October for their chemical
From nowhere to Nobel Read More »
With over 100,000 people on the transplant waiting list, not all of them have a chance to receive a matching organ in time. Due to insufficient supply and long waiting times, organ failure is one of the leading causes of death. To combat this, scientists are stepping up to counter this challenge by developing 3D
Bioprinting the Future Read More »
The recent discovery of a peculiar supernova remnant has solved an 850-year-old mystery, and a new investigation is already forming in its place. In 1181, Chinese and Japanese astronomers observed a “guest star,” or the origin of a supernova, which they identified as SN 1181. It appeared as a dim expanding nebula that was as
The mystery of an undying star Read More »
Almost everyone can recall a particularly weird nightmare they have had, ranging from being late to having an exam to being chased by a monster. They often leave us with feelings of anxiety, confusion, distress, and fear after waking up, wondering how our brains could have conjured such a narrative. Around 85% of people report
The dark side of dreams Read More »
While most people listen to music, deaf people feel it. Specifically, they can feel the vibrations produced by the sound waves, which are distinctive enough for them to process and translate into their own version of music. Deaf people often hold balloons at concerts to feel the acoustic vibrations, perceiving the rhythm of the music
When our heads hit the pillow at night, we are usually swept away by dreams that feel vividly real, despite the unbelievable things that might happen. However, sometimes the illusion is shattered when people become aware that they are dreaming while they are still asleep. This phenomenon is known as lucid dreaming, and it is
Into the dreamscape Read More »
For all of its dramatics, heartbreak is a chaotic, overwhelming experience. From having a frustrating tangle of emotions lodged inside to even feeling physical pain, people often feel like their heartbreak controls them more than they can handle. Science shows that it just might. Florence Williams, a prominent science writer, went through a sudden divorce
Mourning love: the overlap of heartbreak and grief Read More »