Alfred Nobel: The Man Who Fooled The World

What would YOU do if you read your own obituary and hated what it said? Alfred Nobel faced exactly that. The man behind dynamite — one of history's most dangerous inventions — was publicly branded "The Merchant of Death" while still alive. His response? He rewrote his legac

The sun just had no visible sunspots for the 1st time since 2022. Is the end of the current solar cycle near? | Space

The sun has been free from visible sunspots for the first time since June 2022, suggesting the current solar cycle might be nearing its quieter phase. Sunspots are cooler areas on the sun's surface caused by intense magnetic fields. The current solar cycle, the 25th since records began, peaked in 2024. However, the sun's activity is not expected to reach its next minimum before 2030.

Will Pluto Ever Be Considered a Planet Again? The Ongoing Debate Explained - Sassy Feeds

Pluto was once the ninth planet—until the International Astronomical Union changed the rules. 🌌 Find out why it was demoted, what defines a planet, and whether Pluto could ever reclaim its planetary status.

Fukushima’s Radioactive "Super-Boars" are Using a Genetic Cheat Code to Take Over - A-Z Animals

After the Fukushima nuclear disaster, domestic pigs escaped and interbred with wild boar, creating hybrid offspring. A recent genetic study revealed that these hybrid animals are thriving, with domestic pig maternal lineages persisting in the population. This hybridization has led to increased reproductive rates and hybrid vigor, demonstrating how human actions can have long-lasting impacts on ecosystems.

Octopuses Pick Up On Invisible Microbial Cues to Avoid Rotting Food | Discover Magazine

Octopuses have evolved to detect microbial signals using receptors in their arms, allowing them to avoid rotting food and unviable eggs, according to a study published in the journal Cell. Researchers found that octopuses can identify harmful microbial communities on surfaces like crab shells and egg casings, using chemicals such as harmane-3-carboxylic acid and lumichrome as cues. This ability to sense microbial environments may be a widespread trait among animals, influencing behaviors from foraging to immunity.

Scientists crack the case of "screeching" Scotch tape

Scientists have discovered that the screeching sound produced when rapidly peeling Scotch tape is caused by micro-cracks traveling along the tape at supersonic speeds, generating shock waves and sound pulses. This phenomenon, first noticed in 1939, is a result of a partial vacuum created when the crack opens, which collapses when the fracture tip reaches the edge of the tape.

Thunderstorms conjure ghostly coronae in treetops, observed outdoors for the first time

For the first time, researchers have observed and measured weak electrical discharges, known as coronae, on trees during thunderstorms. The study observed similar sparkles on branches of several tree species up and down the U.S. East Coast during the summer of 2024, implying that thunderstorms may paint entire canopies with a scintillating blue glow, albeit too faintly for human eyes to see.

Stanford Scientists Cure Type 1 Diabetes in Mice Without Insulin or Immune Suppression

Stanford scientists have discovered a method to cure Type 1 diabetes in mice without insulin or immune suppression, using a combined transplant of blood stem cells and insulin-producing pancreatic islet cells from a donor. The approach resulted in a hybrid immune system that prevented the immune system from attacking the transplanted islet cells, effectively curing the disease in all treated mice. The researchers believe this strategy could also have potential for treating other autoimmune diseases and improving outcomes in organ transplantation.

Study shows how rocket launches pollute the atmosphere

A new study published in Ars Technica highlights the pollution caused by rocket launches, particularly from SpaceX's Falcon rocket disintegration in 2025. The study reveals that debris from the rocket injected toxic and climate-altering byproducts into the upper atmosphere, raising concerns about the growing atmospheric footprint of spaceflight. The research suggests that without global monitoring and collaboration, the rising demand for satellite launches will accelerate pollution risks in the shared space environment.

China invention turns desert sand into fertile soil in just 10 months

China has invented a method using 3.5 billion-year-old microbes to turn desert sand into fertile soil in just 10 months. These microbes stabilize sand and protect ecosystems, allowing restoration teams to plant shrubs and grasses. The process involves spraying lab-grown cyanobacteria on straw checkerboards, which harden into a cohesive layer that prevents wind erosion. This innovation accelerates the desert restoration process, which typically takes decades, to just a few years. However, long-term protection from vehicles and heavy foot traffic is necessary to maintain the restored surface.

The boys’ club: How Epstein’s influence shaped the exclusion of women in STEM

In one email, an AI researcher suggested it’s “hard to be brilliant if you are worrying if you look fat or why another woman hates you.”

U.S. counties located closer to operational nuclear power plants have higher rates of cancer mortality

A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that U.S. counties closer to operational nuclear power plants (NPPs) have higher rates of cancer mortality. The study, published in Nature Communications, is the first of the 21st century to analyze proximity to NPPs and cancer mortality across all NPPs and every U.S. county. The researchers estimated that over the course of the study period, roughly 115,000 cancer deaths across the U.S. (or about 6,400 deaths per year) were attributable to proximity to NPPs. The association was strongest among older adults. The researchers emphasized that the findings are not enough to establish causality but do highlight the need for further research into nuclear power’s health impacts.

Measurement of a lithium plume from the uncontrolled re-entry of a Falcon 9 rocket | Communications Earth & Environment

This study presents the first measurement of upper-atmospheric pollution resulting from the uncontrolled re-entry of a Falcon 9 rocket. A 10-fold enhancement of lithium atoms was detected at 96 km altitude by a resonance lidar in Kühlungsborn, Germany, approximately 20 hours after the re-entry event. The lithium plume was traced back to the Falcon 9 re-entry path at 100 km altitude, west of Ireland, using atmospheric modelling. The findings demonstrate that identifying pollutants and tracing them to their sources is achievable, with significant implications for monitoring and mitigating space emissions in the atmosphere.

The Probe that Entered Jupiter

Antarctica’s Gravity Hole Growing Stronger, Scientists Find

Scientists from the University of Florida and the Paris Institute of Earth Physics have discovered that the gravity hole in Antarctica, an area where the Earth's gravitational pull is weaker, is growing stronger. This phenomenon, which has been studied for decades, is linked to rock movements beneath the ice and major climate changes over millions of years. The researchers created a detailed map of the gravity hole using global earthquake recordings, finding that it has intensified over tens of millions of years, coinciding with significant climate shifts and the formation of glaciers. While the study does not establish a direct causal relationship between the gravity hole and ice growth, it opens up new avenues for understanding how Earth's interior influences climate and sea levels.

Dinosaur eggshells can reveal the age of other fossils

Dinosaur eggshells can be used to accurately date surrounding fossils and rocks, according to a study published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment. Researchers led by paleontologist Ryan Tucker have developed a method using uranium-lead radioisotopic dating on eggshells to determine their age. This method can accurately date rocks and fossils that are millions of years old. The study found that eggshells from two different sites in Utah and Mongolia were 95 million and 99 million years old, respectively. This new approach could greatly expand the range of continental sedimentary successions amenable to radioisotopic dating.

Watching influencers drink alcohol in social media posts increases young people’s consumption desires, a new study has found

A study by Rutgers Health and Harvard University found that young adults who viewed social media posts from influencers drinking alcohol were significantly more likely to crave a drink than those who viewed similar posts without alcohol. The research, published in JAMA Pediatrics, showed that exposure to alcohol on social media drives young people’s desire to drink. The study included 2,000 participants between 18 and 24 years old in the United States.

How Psilocybin Rewires the Brain: The Science Explained

This article explains how psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, can physically rewire the brain's neural networks. It discusses how psilocybin strengthens certain pathways while weakening others, leading to the potential for long-lasting relief from depression and anxiety. The article also touches on the need for legalization and controlled research, as well as the potential for combining psilocybin with other therapies like TMS.

Scientists have demonstrated a system called Silica for writing and reading information in ordinary pieces of glass which can store two million books’ worth of data in a thin, palm-sized square.

Most people believe they can spot AI-generated faces, but that confidence is out of date, study finds

A study from UNSW Sydney and the Australian National University reveals that people are overconfident in their ability to distinguish between real and AI-generated faces, even those with exceptional face-recognition skills. The research highlights that as AI technology advances, the visual cues people rely on to spot fake faces are becoming obsolete, making individuals and organizations more vulnerable to scams and fraud.

NASA says it needs to haul the Artemis II rocket back to the hangar for repairs

NASA has encountered a new issue with the Artemis II rocket, requiring its removal from the launch pad for repairs. The problem involves an interruption in helium flow into the upper stage of the Space Launch System rocket. Engineers are investigating the cause, but any fixes must be performed inside the Vehicle Assembly Building. This development has ruled out a March launch, with the next launch window starting April 1. The Artemis II mission, which will be the first human spaceflight mission to the vicinity of the Moon since 1972, aims to demonstrate the readiness of the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft.

Biohackers and wellness influencers are pushing nicotine as part of their ‘stacks’

The stimulant that makes cigarettes so addictive is getting a reputational makeover.

Experiencing abuse or neglect during childhood is linked to specific changes in cognitive skills during young adulthood

The findings indicate that while young adults with a history of maltreatment tend to struggle more with switching between mental tasks, their ability to hold and process temporary information remains intact. These results highlight how a harsh upbringing shapes brain development

Why I fear for the future of mankind

This content discusses concerns about the future of mankind, focusing on the failure to address climate change and its implications for our decision-making capabilities.

NASA's Perseverance rover now has its own 'GPS' on Mars: 'We've given the rover a new ability' | Space

NASA's Perseverance rover has been upgraded with a new capability called Mars Global Localization, allowing it to determine its exact location on Mars without relying on Earth-based guidance. This new system enables the rover to match its panoramic imagery to orbital terrain maps onboard, calculating its precise position to within 10 inches (25 centimeters) and allowing it to travel farther and conduct more science. This advancement in autonomous navigation could pave the way for faster and more independent exploration on Mars and other celestial bodies.

100,000 CYCLE SCAM? Donut Lab’s Brutal Response to the Critics

We'll know tomorrow (2026-02-23) if they're legit or not.

Adolescent Cannabis Use Linked to Doubling Risk of Psychotic and Bipolar Disorders

The longitudinal study followed 463,396 adolescents ages 13 to 17 through age 26 and found that past-year cannabis use during adolescence was associated with a significantly higher risk of incident psychotic (doubled), bipolar (doubled), depressive and anxiety disorders

Will Quantum Computing Kill Bitcoin?

She unfortunately forgot to mention that there are already several quantum proof consensus mechanisms for Bitcoin. They could implement anyone of them in a few weeks to months if they needed to. They just haven't because quantum computing isn't an immediate threat and they have b