Science

A remarkable image of the Antlia Cluster has been captured by the Dark Energy Camera (DECam), showcasing a diverse array of galaxies located approximately 130 million light-years from Earth in the Antlia constellation. With over 230 galaxies identified, including lenticular, irregular, and ultra-compact dwarfs, the cluster is dominated by two elliptical giants, NGC 3268 and

The possibility of retrieving memories from a deceased person’s brain is being explored by neuroscientists, though the process is considered highly complex and technically challenging. Efforts to understand memory storage in the brain have made significant progress, with scientists identifying engrams — physical traces of memories formed by groups of neurons. These discoveries have sparked

A significant biodiversity survey conducted in Peru’s Alto Mayo region has led to the discovery of at least 27 new species, including a striking ‘blob-headed’ bristlemouth armored catfish from the genus Chaetostoma. The research, carried out in 2022, highlighted the region’s ecological importance, spanning approximately 780,700 hectares in the San Martín department. The survey documented

A new material with stretchable, flexible, and recyclable properties has been created by researchers using a 3D printing technique. It is said that the material, made from thermoplastic elastomers, allows objects to possess customisable stiffness and flexibility. The technique combines cost-effectiveness with scalability, making it suitable for industrial use. These advancements are expected to pave

An international team of astronomers has studied a nearby galaxy cluster merger, offering new insights into the processes of galactic collisions. Observations of CIZA J0107.7+5408, a post-core passage binary cluster merger, were carried out using the Very Large Array (VLA). These findings have shed light on the intricate dynamics of merging galaxy clusters, which are

Frogs around the world are being severely impacted by the chytrid fungus, which has led to population declines in over 500 species and the presumed extinction of approximately 90 species. This invasive pathogen is disrupting ecosystems and causing significant biodiversity loss. Innovative methods to combat this threat have emerged, focusing on providing frogs with heated

SpaceX brought its 2024 launch schedule to a close by deploying a new batch of Starlink V2 Mini satellites, some equipped with direct-to-cell technology, into orbit. The mission, Starlink 12-6, lifted off at 12:39 a.m. EST on Tuesday, December 31, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked SpaceX’s 132nd

A group of 12 students and two teachers from the main branch of Dyal Singh Public School in Karnal have been recognised by NASA’s International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC) for their efforts in the discovery of a main belt asteroid, designated TD40. The discovery was made using data provided by the Pan-STARRS telescope. The students,

Archaeologists in Egypt unveiled significant discoveries throughout 2024, shedding new light on the lives, beliefs, and practices of this ancient civilisation. As reported by Live Science, these findings range from rare artefacts to evidence of advanced practices, reflecting the remarkable complexity of ancient Egyptian society. The discoveries have been made at various sites across Egypt,

An undersea volcano situated roughly 470 kilometers off Oregon’s coastline, Axial Seamount, is showing signs of imminent activity. Researchers have noted telltale signals such as ground deformation, heightened seismic activity, and magma accumulation beneath the surface. These observations have led to a forecast suggesting that the volcano could erupt as early as 2025. This prediction

As researchers delve into the cosmos, organic molecules—the building blocks of life—emerge as a recurring theme, hinting at answers to some of science’s most profound questions. Recent studies, including data from missions like the European Space Agency’s Rosetta and NASA’s Osiris-Rex, continue to reveal the ubiquity of these compounds across the universe. According to reports,

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to close the year with the Spadex mission, scheduled for launch at 9:58 pm on December 30 from the Sriharikota spaceport. This mission involves two satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), aimed at demonstrating docking capabilities in orbit. By showcasing the alignment, connection, and power transfer between

Innovative VR headsets have been designed for mice, enabling scientists to study brain activity in highly immersive environments. Using these headsets, researchers can observe neural responses during specific behaviours, potentially unlocking new understanding of human neurological disorders. Crafted from readily available components such as smartwatch screens and miniature lenses, these devices are seen as a

The rise in pandemics has been attributed to disruptions caused by human activities to the planet’s ecosystems. Infectious diseases, which have historically resulted in significant loss of life, are appearing more frequently. This resurgence has raised concerns among experts about the factors driving this trend. Modern advancements in science, including vaccinations and antibiotics, initially seemed

A breakthrough discovery by an international team of scientists has highlighted the role of a gold-sulfur complex in the formation of gold deposits on Earth. The study, co-authored by Adam Simon, Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Michigan, was recently . It details the previously unknown conditions under which gold is

Two perentie lizards, among the largest species of lizards globally, have hatched at the Los Angeles Zoo, marking the first time this species has been bred there. Native to Australia, these carnivorous reptiles are known for their impressive size, often exceeding 8 feet in length and weighing over 40 pounds. The zoo, which is one

Efforts are underway in the Mediterranean Sea to install the underwater neutrino telescope known as KM3NeT, as reported by various sources. The telescopes are designed to detect high-energy neutrinos, subatomic particles emitted from unidentified cosmic sources. Unlike traditional telescopes, these devices rely on capturing light generated when neutrinos collide with seawater. This massive project spans

Efforts to improve data centre efficiency have led mathematicians at Virginia Tech to develop a novel method of data storage and retrieval. According to reports, the researchers have utilised algebraic geometry to tackle issues arising from high energy consumption in data centres, which is impacting global climate goals. This breakthrough was detailed in IEEE BITS,

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe made its closest-ever approach to the Sun on Tuesday, becoming the first man-made object to accomplish this feat. Parker should have travelled as close as 6.1 million kilometres to the Sun, gathering important data about its outer atmosphere. The confirmation about these feats should arrive by December 27, as the space

A new study has allowed physicists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and collaborators to measure the quantum geometry of electrons in solids. The research provides insights into the shape and behaviour of electrons within crystalline materials at a quantum level. Quantum geometry, which had previously been limited to theoretical predictions, has now been

In findings shared through The Astrophysical Journal, NASA scientists have uncovered an extraordinary black hole in galaxy NGC 5084. Located around 80 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo, the black hole has been observed lying at a 90-degree tilt relative to the galactic plane. Using archival data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory and imagery

Rising global temperatures and shifting tectonic plates are believed to have shaped the development of one of Earth’s most iconic trees, the oak (Quercus). According to reports, the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a significant climatic event approximately 56 million years ago, created extreme conditions that influenced the evolution of diverse plant species, including the ancestors

A study currently under review in Climate of the Past has reported that Arctic Siberia experienced summer temperatures up to 10 degree Celsius warmer than today during the Last Interglacial period, approximately 115,000 to 130,000 years ago. Researchers have drawn these conclusions from sediment cores and fossil remains, highlighting how polar ecosystems responded to heightened

Bronze statues, including depictions of snakes and a child priest, have been uncovered from a hot spring at San Casciano dei Bagni in Italy, according to the Italian Ministry of Culture, as per reports. The site, located around 120 kilometres northwest of Rome, has been excavated since 2019 and is believed to have been used

In The Astrophysical Journal, a University of Michigan-led study detailed how the Sun’s magnetic field evolves as it moves through space, providing insights into solar wind acceleration. Using data from rare alignments of the Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter, researchers observed that the Sun’s magnetic field transitions from sharp oscillations to smoother waves, with

A new pulsar, PSR J1922+37, has been discovered with a spin period of 1.92 seconds using the Five-hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) in China, according to a report. The finding was made in the direction of the open cluster NGC 6791. If confirmed as a member of this cluster, it would be the first

Fossilised plant remains unearthed near the now-abandoned town of Rainbow, Utah, have defied classification. The plant, named Othniophyton elongatum, was initially discovered in 1969, but recent analysis has shown it is unrelated to any known plant families, living or extinct. The fossil, dating back around 47 million years, was preserved in the Green River Formation,

Pipes designed to enable one-way liquid flow without the use of valves have been developed, drawing inspiration from the intestinal structure of sharks. Tesearchers at the University of Washington have created tubes featuring an internal helix, which mimics the corkscrew-shaped intestines found in sharks. This design may pave the way for more durable fluid transport

New research on PDS 70b, a forming exoplanet located approximately 400 light-years away in the constellation Centaurus, suggests that prevailing models of planet formation may require revision. According to a study published in Astrophysical Journal Letters, astronomers found a mismatch between the chemical composition of the planet’s atmosphere and the surrounding protoplanetary disk from which

The innermost planet of the TRAPPIST-1 system, TRAPPIST-1b, may possess a carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere, according to research published in Nature Astronomy on December 16. The TRAPPIST-1 system, which lies 40 light-years from Earth and includes seven Earth-sized exoplanets, has intrigued astronomers since its discovery in 2017. Earlier studies suggested that these planets lacked atmospheres due

A striking new image has been captured near the edge of the Small Magellanic Cloud, a galaxy located approximately 200,000 light-years from Earth. The image, highlighting the star cluster NGC 602, was produced using data from the James Webb Space Telescope (NASA/ESA/CSA) and NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. Reports suggest the cluster resides in an environment

The discovery of 4,000-year-old human remains at Charterhouse Warren in Somerset has unveiled a harrowing chapter of British prehistory. The analysis of over 3,000 bone fragments belonging to at least 37 individuals, ranging from newborns to adults, has indicated an unprecedented level of violence. The findings, published in Antiquity, revealed evidence of scalping, decapitation, defleshing,

NASA’s retired InSight Mars lander was recently spotted by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) in an image taken on October 23, 2024, using its High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera. The image shows dust build-up on the lander’s solar panels, which now match the reddish-brown colour of the Martian surface. Reports suggest this observation continues