Science

In 1934, scientists heard reports of mushrooms causing visions of tiny people; in 2026, DNA linked the phenomenon to one species in China and the Philippines

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In 1934, scientists heard reports of mushrooms causing visions of tiny people; in 2026, DNA linked the phenomenon to one species in China and the Philippines

Lanmaoa asiatica is a popular edible mushroom species sold in Yunnan that induces Lilliputian hallucinations when undercooked. In 1934, Western scientists first heard reports from Papua New Guinea of wild mushrooms causing visions of tiny people, a phenomenon called “mushroom madness.” Nearly a century later, DNA sequencing has confirmed that a single, identical mushroom species … Read more

In 1898, Chesapeake Bay was so full of oysters that one grew on a lost set of dentures; today, more than 99% of the historic native population has disappeared

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In 1898, Chesapeake Bay was so full of oysters that one grew on a lost set of dentures; today, more than 99% of the historic native population has disappeared

An eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) attached to an upper set of artificial teeth (Source: Smithsonian Institution) In 1898, a dredging boat pulling debris from the floor of the Chesapeake Bay made a discovery that looked like something from a biological nightmare: a set of human dentures with a live oyster firmly attached to them.The unusual … Read more

In 2012, a wildfire scorched 42 sq km of the Rwenzori alpine zone; lake cores showed it was the first large-scale fire there in 12,000 years, with charcoal jumping over 100-fold

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In 2012, a wildfire scorched 42 sq km of the Rwenzori alpine zone; lake cores showed it was the first large-scale fire there in 12,000 years, with charcoal jumping over 100-fold

Representative Image (AI-generated) A wildfire that swept through the high-altitude alpine zone of Africa’s Rwenzori Mountains in 2012 has been identified as the first large-scale fire to strike the region in at least 12,000 years, according to a study published in Nature. By analysing ancient lake sediment cores (cylindrical samples of layered mud from the … Read more

Quote of the Day by Marie Curie: “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.” |

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Quote of the Day by Marie Curie: “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.” |

Marie Curie’s profound observation underscores the power of understanding as a tool to conquer life’s fears. She posited that knowledge serves as a buffer against uncertainty, fostering self-assurance. As a trailblazing scientist, she unearthed polonium and radium, earning Nobel Prizes for her remarkable contributions to physics and chemistry. Her enduring message of curiosity and the … Read more

James Webb’s ‘little red dots’ may be 100,000-sun monster stars; their collapse could have seeded the universe’s first giant black holes

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James Webb’s ‘little red dots’ may be 100,000-sun monster stars; their collapse could have seeded the universe’s first giant black holes

‘Little red dots’ may be pulsating monster stars that created early-universe black holes, study finds Mysterious, compact objects discovered in the early universe may actually be enormous “monster stars” with masses up to 100,000 times greater than the Sun.According to a new study by the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, these giant stars … Read more

Scientists reveal how green roofs lower rooftop temperatures by 40°F from heat traps to cooling systems |

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Scientists reveal how green roofs lower rooftop temperatures by 40°F from heat traps to cooling systems |

Green roofs offer a solution to urban heat by absorbing sunlight and releasing water. Vegetation shades surfaces and evapotranspiration naturally cools surrounding areas. These living roofs also manage rainwater and provide habitats for urban wildlife. Extensive and intensive systems cater to different building needs and budgets. Cities worldwide are adopting green roofs to combat rising … Read more

Scientists reviewed 54 Asian oak species; 40 had no backup in any botanical collection, while one may already be extinct in the wild

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Scientists reviewed 54 Asian oak species; 40 had no backup in any botanical collection, while one may already be extinct in the wild

Scientists reviewed 54 Asian oak species; 40 had no backup in any botanical collection A detailed study of 54 Asian oak species has found that 40 have no living backup in any botanical garden around the world. This means that nearly three-quarters of the trees could disappear completely if their wild populations are lost.One of … Read more

Scientists coated a cicada wing with silver and created a sensor that amplified faint molecular signals by tens of millions

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Scientists coated a cicada wing with silver and created a sensor that amplified faint molecular signals by tens of millions

Scientists have transformed a simple fragment of a cicada’s wing into an optical platform capable of detecting molecular signals By coating a cicada wing with an extremely thin layer of silver, researchers in Taiwan have created a highly sensitive optical sensor that can boost very weak molecular signals by tens of millions of times.The findings, … Read more

Scientists placed 42 sea sponges in a polluted Spanish port. 455 days later, one species had thrived while four others died |

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Scientists placed 42 sea sponges in a polluted Spanish port. 455 days later, one species had thrived while four others died |

Representative Image of marine life thriving around resilient chicken kidney sponges in polluted waters (AI-generated image) Researchers in Spain spent 455 days tracking how sponges from five species of Mediterranean sea life coped with being moved from clean, natural habitats toward a heavily polluted recreational marina near Girona. The experiment was designed to test a … Read more

In 2003, China planted small islands of native trees along a degraded river; 20 years later they held only 19–30% of an intact forest’s diversity and biomass

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In 2003, China planted small islands of native trees along a degraded river; 20 years later they held only 19–30% of an intact forest’s diversity and biomass

Tropical forests have been heavily degraded because of human activities. (Representational photo) Planting trees across vast areas may not be the only way to restore damaged tropical forests, according to a new study. Instead, small patches of native trees can gradually help degraded forests recover.The study was carried out by Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) … Read more