The deep, vibrant blue you often see in ancient Egyptian depictions of royalty is no ordinary color — made from calcium copper silicate, it may be able to enhance energy efficiency, boost solar electricity, and help create counterfeit-proof ink. Originally used around 5,000 years ago, it’s considered the world’s oldest synthetic pigment. Its usage faded […]
We need four hugs a day for survival, eight for maintenance, and 12 for growth — at least according to a saying credited to renowned family therapist Virginia Satir. While regularly receiving a dozen daily hugs may feel excessive or improbable to some, it’s all too easy to fall on the other end of the
In the earliest days of the United States, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail about the celebration of independence, “It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” “Bonfires and illuminations” refer directly to what we know as pyrotechnics and firework displays.
Red, White, but Rarely Blue — The Science of Fireworks Colors, Explained Continue Reading »
A groundbreaking observatory in Chile is off to a sparkling start, as evidenced by the debut images released today. While the initial photos are all mesmerizing, they’re just a sliver of what’s to come from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, a massive U.S.-funded telescope perched at the summit of Cerro Pachón. “These images are fantastic.
A rattlesnake slithering across your path may make you antsy throughout a long hike, while stumbling upon a stunning view at the end of the trail could leave you feeling content for the remainder of the day. Each experience is a short-lived moment, but both can lead to lasting emotion. How does this happen? Scientists
About 50 miles off the coast of South Korea, a group of women — some of them in their 80s — start many days by free diving into frigid waters to collect conch, sea urchin, abalone, octopus, and other ocean dwellers for their communities to eat. Jeju Island’s Haenyeo, or “women of the sea,” are
When lightbulb moments occur — you know, those instances when you’re struck by a brilliant idea or solution seemingly out of nowhere — they can feel like miracles from the universe. But there’s actually science behind them, and according to a new study, their positive impact could last well beyond the instances themselves. Researchers at
The next time someone rushes you through a museum, show them the findings from a new study out of the U.K.: Stopping to ponder artistic beauty may encourage “big picture” thinking. The research suggests that contemplating the beauty of artistic objects in a gallery or museum boosts our ability to think in abstract ways and look at our lives from a wider perspective.
Pondering Artistic Beauty Encourages “Big Picture” Thinking, Study Suggests Continue Reading »
A revolutionary new antidote neutralizes the venom of 19 of the world’s deadliest snakesss (sorry, couldn’t help but hiss).
Scientists believe our solar system may have a mysterious ninth planet — and no, it’s not Pluto (which was demoted to a dwarf planet in 2006). For about a century, astronomers have had a hunch that another planet has been waiting to be discovered. And one group of researchers recently gathered some celestial clues indicating
Our Solar System May Indeed Have 9 Planets, Paper Finds Continue Reading »
