Tag Archives: Scientists

Analytical chemists from Stellenbosch University (SU) have provided the first evidence of a rare class of phenolics, called flavoalkaloids, in Cannabis leaves. Phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids, are well-known and sought after in the pharmaceutical industry because of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties. The researchers identified 79 phenolic compounds in three strains of Cannabis grown commercially in South Africa, of …

“Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links.” Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this story: First theorized in 2012, time crystals are similar to normal crystals, but instead of their lattice of atoms repeating in a physical 3D space, they follow certain patterns over time. A scientist duo at the University …

It’s official: the animal with the highest number of chromosomes is the Atlas blue butterfly, boasting a record 229 pairs. This is a pretty unusual finding since many of its closest relatives have just 23 or 24 pairs. The Atlas blue butterfly (Polyommatus atlantica) is native to the North African mountain ranges of Morocco and northeast Algeria.  It had long …

In a groundbreaking discovery in Siberia, scientists have uncovered a 44,000-year-old wolf, nearly perfectly preserved in permafrost. This remarkable find, detailed by the North-Eastern Federal University Mammoth Museum, provides unparalleled insights into Ice Age predators. The wolf’s well-preserved body, including skin, fur, and organs, offers a rare glimpse into the Pleistocene era, revolutionizing our understanding of ancient ecosystems. A Unique …

We all have our unusual food preferences, but it’s unlikely any are quite as weird as the craving experienced by a 36-year-old woman featured in a recent case report. Her doctors described how the woman developed a sudden hunger for bleach—a craving likely triggered by an autoimmune disorder. Doctors in Michigan detailed the strange tale in a paper published last month …

A rocky, Earth-size planet located in our Milky Way galaxy may have an atmosphere around it, according to new research, raising the possibility that it could also have liquid water on its surface and could therefore support life. In two separate papers published Monday in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, astronomers zeroed in on the TRAPPIST-1 system, which consists of seven …

A mysterious sticky substance found in ancient bronze jars in southern Italy has finally been identified as honey, solving a 70-year-old archaeological puzzle. The discovery, detailed in a study published by the Journal of the American Chemical Society, sheds new light on the ritual and everyday uses of honey in classical antiquity. The residue was originally excavated in 1954 from …

IN A NUTSHELL 🦕 Researchers discovered 80-million-year-old fossils in Brazil, highlighting the presence of osteomyelitis in sauropod dinosaurs. 🔍 Advanced analysis techniques revealed distinct lesions on the bones, providing insights into the disease’s progression. 🌿 Environmental factors, such as arid climates and stagnant water, likely facilitated the spread of the infection. 📚 The findings enhance our understanding of dinosaur health …

Smacking a planet-threatening asteroid comes with big responsibility. If we slam an impactor into an asteroid in exactly the wrong spot, the space rock may pass through a “gravitational keyhole” that actually brings it to Earth — which is exactly what planetary defense scientists and mission planners don’t want to happen. The keyhole is an area in space where the …

Eating lots of meat and drinking sugary fizzy drinks speeds up the onset of dementia and other chronic illnesses, a major 15-year study has found. Scientists tracked nearly 2,500 older adults and discovered that those with the unhealthiest diets – high in red and processed meat, such as bacon and burgers, and carbonated drinks – developed brain and heart conditions …