For hundreds of thousands of years, the woolly mammoth thrived on Earth, measuring its majestic stride across frozen streams. Then, something happened. The earth changed. And in an extremely short time, the mammoths (Mammuthus primigenius) became extinct, the last of them extinguished 4000 years ago, on the remote Wrangel Island in the cold Arctic north….
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that between 20 and 40 percent of global crop production is lost each year to plant pests and pathogenic microbial infections. According to the paper, scientists found their first clue in tomatoes, which contain a class of proteins that behave differently from those found in…
What if, in 14 years, a newly discovered asteroid was likely to hit Earth? But that’s not all. This menacing space rock, about 330 to 1,050 feet in diameter (or 100 to 320 meters), has just disappeared behind the sun, making crucial observations impossible for the next seven months. To prepare for such a disturbance…
Astronauts who make the round trip to Mars can be awarded a unique badge of honor in the form of “space kidney disease,” which is a hell of a lot less fun than it sounds. According to new research, the conditions experienced by interplanetary travelers can radically alter the structure and function of the kidneys,…
Will future humans use warp disks to explore the cosmos? We are unable to eliminate the possibility. But if our distant descendants ever do, it will not include dilithium crystals and Scottish accent it will have evaporated into history by then. Warp discs have their roots in one of the most popular sci-fi franchises ever,…
Stargazers and sky watchers have been treated to an amazing display of celestial events already in 2024: the total solar eclipse, the return of the ‘devil’s comet’ and numerous nights colored by the northern lights have undoubtedly topped the list for some. But if that wasn’t enough for you, space experts say we’re in for…
Summer nights are the shortest, but also the warmest – making them especially attractive for skygazing. The next few months feature the best meteor shower of the year in August, the return of multiple planets and a partial lunar eclipse before the season ends. Here are five things to look out for while you’re out…