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The Origin of Bread: A Discovery 14,000 Years in the Making
In 2018, archaeologists made a groundbreaking discovery in the Jordanian desert: traces of a 14,000-year-old bread-like mixture. This astonishing find, predating the advent of agriculture by millennia, sheds new light on the culinary practices of ancient hunter-gatherers.
The site, abandoned in haste by its inhabitants, featured two primitive ovens where remnants of this ancient bread were found. Using a scanning electron microscope, researchers identified 24 charred fragments as bread, though the exact grain type remains undetermined. The cell structure of the grains suggests they may have been wild einkorn, rye, or millet. Likely, these were unleavened flatbreads, but their precise appearance is unknown.
This discovery reveals that the practice of bread-making is far older than previously thought, originating well before the development of farming. The Natufian culture, flourishing around 15,000 to 11,500 years ago in regions now known as Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, is credited with this early culinary achievement. These people had already begun settling in wooden houses, indicating a shift towards a sedentary lifestyle independent of climatic factors.
This transition to the Neolithic way of life—characterized by settled living, food production, and significant cultural changes—started before the end of the Ice Age. The intriguing question remains: why did these ancient people undergo such a radical transformation in their lifestyle and thinking? What motivated one of the most profound changes in human history?
@science #history
Unexpected Explosion at Yellowstone Sends Steam and Rocks 30 Meters into the Air
In a surprising event, an explosion at Yellowstone National Park propelled a cloud of steam and rocks 30 meters into the sky. Visitors captured the dramatic scene on video, providing a firsthand look at the power of nature.
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Drosera hamiltonii, or the Pink Sundew, is a captivating carnivorous plant that catches and digests insects. Its leaves are covered in hair-like structures that release a sticky mucus resembling dewdrops. This adaptation helps it thrive in nutrient-poor environments by trapping and digesting insects for nourishment.
@science
The Penrose Triangle: A Journey Through Impossible Geometry
The Penrose Triangle is one of the most fascinating “impossible figures.” This optical illusion presents a three-dimensional triangle that can be depicted through perspective but cannot exist in the real world. It was first created in 1934 by Swedish artist Oscar Reutersvärd, who illustrated it as a set of cubes.
The triangle gained widespread recognition after an article on impossible figures was published in the “British Journal of Psychology” by psychiatrist Lionel Penrose and his son, mathematician Roger Penrose, who later won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2020. In their article, the triangle was depicted as three beams connected at right angles.
@science
Soft Microrobots: A New Frontier in Cellular Manipulation
Soft, optically controlled microrobots represent a remarkable advancement in the field of robotics and cellular biology. These tiny marvels are designed to capture and move individual cells with precision.
Utilizing optical traps, these microrobots can manipulate single cells without causing photodestruction. This innovative technology ensures both spatial control and stability during the manipulation process, opening new possibilities for scientific research and medical applications.
🤖 @science
🌞 SunCable: Australia’s Visionary Solar Project Gets the Green Light!
We’ve got some electrifying news from Down Under! The ambitious SunCable project, which aims to connect Australia to Asia with a colossal solar power link, has just cleared a significant hurdle. This monumental endeavor is set to revolutionize renewable energy on a global scale. Here’s the lowdown:
Project Overview:
• Name: Australia-Asia PowerLink (AAPowerLink)
• Goal: Transmit solar energy from Australia’s Northern Territory to Singapore
• Length: 4,200 kilometers (2,610 miles) of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) submarine cables
More info here: https://newatlas.com/energy/suncable-australia-asia-power-link-approval-update/
Rama V, the King of Thailand, and Nicholas II in a friendly, informal atmosphere in St. Petersburg, Russia, 1897 📷
This pivotal photograph, once published in European newspapers, led France and England to abandon their plans to seize the Kingdom of Siam.
#thailand #Russia #history
🌟 What are Qualia?
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to taste an apple or see the color green? These subjective experiences are known as Qualia.
Qualia are the qualitative, subjective aspects of our experiences, such as the taste of chocolate, the warmth of sunlight, the sight of a red rose, or the sound of music.
🔹 Origin: The term “qualia” comes from the Latin “qualis,” meaning “of what kind.” It describes the internal, indescribable quality of our sensory experiences.
Philosophical Debates: Qualia are central to discussions on consciousness. How are these subjective experiences related to physical processes in the brain? Can they be fully explained by science?
Examples:
• Knowledge Argument: A scientist who knows everything about color physics but has never seen color learns something new upon seeing it for the first time.
• Zombie Argument: A being identical to a human in every way but without consciousness or qualia shows that qualia cannot be entirely explained by physical processes.
Qualia are crucial for understanding consciousness and remain one of the most intriguing topics in philosophy.
✨ Stay tuned! In our next post, we’ll explore how neuroscience approaches the study of consciousness and subjective experience. Don’t miss it
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The Remarkable Regenerative Powers of Sponges
Sponges possess an extraordinary ability to regenerate, even when their cells are completely separated. If the body of an adult sponge is forced through a mesh, all its cells will detach from one another, similar to particles passing through a sieve. When these individual cells are then placed in water and gently, thoroughly stirred to break all connections, they begin to gradually move towards each other and reassemble, eventually forming a whole sponge that resembles the original.
This phenomenon demonstrates “recognition” at the cellular level. In one experiment, scientists separated the cells of three different sponge species in this manner and mixed them in water. Remarkably, the cells of each species recognized each other within the mix. As a result, instead of forming a single sponge, three distinct sponges emerged, each resembling one of the original species.
This ability highlights not only the resilience and adaptability of sponges but also provides a fascinating insight into cellular communication and recognition. Such regenerative capabilities are not only of interest for biological research but also offer potential applications in medical science and tissue engineering.
@science
Incredible Image of Space Debris
The ADRAS-J spacecraft, designed primarily for the removal of orbital debris, has successfully approached and photographed a large piece of space junk as part of a close-approach test. The captured image shows the discarded stage of the Japanese H-2A rocket from just 50 meters away. This is a significant example of large space debris, with the stage measuring 11 meters in length and weighing 3 tons. Such missions are crucial for maintaining a safe and sustainable space environment. 🌌
@science #space
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⚕️ Origin of the Most Popular Pharmaceutical Symbol – The Snake and the Bowl
The iconic symbol of a snake entwined around a bowl originates from the attributes of the ancient Greek goddess of health, Hygieia (yes, the word “hygiene” comes from her name). Hygieia was often depicted with a snake, which she fed from a bowl. This bowl, entwined with a snake, later became known as the “Bowl of Hygieia.”
But why did she feed a snake? The snake, with its ability to shed its skin, was seen in many ancient cultures as an immortal creature, possessing the secret to eternal youth.
The Bowl of Hygieia has been a symbol of medicine since ancient times. However, pharmacists adopted it only in the late 18th century. In 1796, the image of the bowl was engraved on a commemorative coin for the Paris Society of Pharmacy.
⚕️ @science #history
🤖 Musculature for Robots
A new type of “muscle” for robots has been developed, resembling human musculature. These rubber “muscles” can move efficiently thanks to individual servo motors, and the designers have also created special rotating shafts to facilitate their movement.
🤖@science #robots
Singapore Approves 16 Insect Species for Consumption
Singapore has approved 16 insect species for food consumption. The list includes house crickets (Acheta domesticus), African migratory locusts (Locusta migratoria migratorioides), silkworms (Bombyx mori), and honey bees (Apis mellifera). These insects, and products made from them, can be used as food, raw materials for the food industry, or as livestock feed. Additionally, some species can be imported live and bred locally.
It’s worth noting that Singapore is not the first country to allow insect consumption. The European Union, for example, has approved food from four insect species in recent years. Such measures aim to provide a sustainable protein source for the growing global population and reduce the environmental impact of agriculture.
⚛ @science
These are not ordinary noctilucent clouds. The clouds in this photo are linked to a recent SpaceX rocket launch. The bright spot to the right of the Moon is Jupiter, and the streak below is a contrail from an airplane, captured due to the long exposure of the photograph.
Photo credit: Pascal Fouquet
@science
Former OpenAI employee
shares
a thrilling roadmap that outlines the company’s ambitious plans for the next five years, hinting at a future where artificial intelligence dramatically reshapes our world. Here’s what they predict:
1️⃣ End of 2024 – Launch of GPT-Next: The most intelligent neural network ever created, poised to surpass all previous models and set new standards in AI.
2️⃣ 2025 – End of Routine Tasks: AI agents will revolutionize daily life by taking over mundane tasks, freeing humans to focus on more creative and complex endeavors.
3️⃣ 2026 – The Year Everything Changes: OpenAI aims to develop an Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) with human-level intelligence. This breakthrough could replace hundreds of professions, marking a significant shift in human dominance on the planet.
4️⃣ 2027 – 70% Chance of ASI: The likelihood of developing Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) becomes high. This advanced AI will begin self-learning and might take over solving global challenges, sidelining human intervention.
5️⃣ 2028 – Eradication of Diseases: ASI will engineer nanorobots capable of eliminating all harmful viruses and microbes, potentially erasing diseases from existence.
6️⃣ 2029 – Rise of Skynet: The advent of superintelligence that controls the world, accelerating progress to unprecedented speeds and possibly ushering in a new era of technological dominance.
While these projections might seem like science fiction, the rapid advancements in AI suggest that AGI by 2029 could be within reach.
@science
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Epic shot of Starship Super Heavy firing tests
@science #space
Did you know that crows are not only able to find suitable tools but can also modify them? It’s clear that they solve these tasks with ease and enjoyment.
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The real cause of the Windows crash worldwide has been identified
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The Legacy of Johann Friedrich Schmidt’s 1898 Lunar Model
In 1898, the renowned selenographer Johann Friedrich Schmidt unveiled a groundbreaking three-dimensional model of the Moon. This extraordinary creation marked a significant milestone in the history of lunar studies, encapsulating Schmidt’s lifelong dedication to mapping the Moon.
Schmidt, deeply engrossed in lunar cartography, persuaded the director of the Bonn University Observatory in the 1850s to create a 3D model of the Moon. Constructed from plaster, wood, and metal, this model represented the hemisphere visible from Earth.
During his meticulous work, Schmidt conducted over 3,000 measurements of lunar elevations. For enhanced visualization, the relief of craters, seas, and ridges in the model was exaggerated threefold. The Moon model comprised 116 plaster fragments, forming an impressive structure over five meters in diameter.
This pioneering model not only advanced lunar science but also inspired future generations of astronomers. Join us on our channel to delve deeper into the fascinating world of lunar exploration and other scientific marvels.
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Unveiling the Impact of Sleep on Cognitive Performance: Insights from a UK Biobank Study
A recent study published in BMJ Public Health delves into the intricate relationships between sleep patterns, health, and lifestyle factors and their collective impact on cognitive performance. This comprehensive analysis used data from the UK Biobank, encompassing 26,820 participants aged 53–86 years, to uncover key insights.
Key Findings:
• Optimal Sleep Duration: The study found that a sleep duration of 7–9 hours per night is associated with better cognitive performance. Short (<7 hours) and long (>9 hours) sleep durations negatively impacted cognitive scores.
• Chronotype Matters: Individuals with intermediate and evening chronotypes showed superior cognitive function compared to those with a morning chronotype.
• Health and Lifestyle Influences: Factors such as age, gender, diabetes, alcohol intake, and smoking were significant predictors of cognitive performance. For instance, older age and diabetes were linked to lower cognitive scores, while moderate alcohol intake and being an ex-smoker were associated with better cognitive outcomes.
Implications for Public Health:
These findings underscore the importance of maintaining a balanced sleep schedule and considering individual chronotypes for optimal cognitive health. The study also highlights the need for comprehensive public health strategies that address not only sleep patterns but also broader lifestyle and health factors.
For more detailed information, you can read the full study here: Link to Study
@science
#PublicHealth #CognitiveHealth #SleepResearch #BMJPublicHealth
Unveiling LUCA: Our Ancient Common Ancestor
How far back can you trace your ancestry? For many, it goes back a few generations, but the oldest known ancestor of all living organisms, LUCA (Last Universal Common Ancestor), lived over four billion years ago. Interestingly, LUCA is not just your ancestor but the ancestor of every living organism on Earth. Despite the passage of eons, scientists continue to learn more about him, thanks to the hundreds of genes inherited from him by all current life forms.
A recent study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution provides fascinating new insights into LUCA. Researchers compared common sequences in the genomes of 700 modern microbes from various groups. By examining the shared characteristics in the DNA of these bacteria and archaea, they estimated the time of divergence using the “molecular clock” method. This technique calculates the time of divergence between two genomes based on the number of differences between them, calibrated by fossil and isotope analysis.
The findings reveal that LUCA lived even earlier than previously thought – around 4.2 billion years ago, just as Earth was forming. Furthermore, LUCA did not live in isolation; he thrived in an ecosystem with other organisms and even possessed an immune system capable of recognizing and responding to viruses.
Remarkably, life emerged on Earth (or rather, in water) incredibly quickly! LUCA already exhibited key features of modern bacteria, being a cell with a genome encoding around 2600 proteins, comparable to present-day microbes. However, the rapid evolution of such a complex cellular apparatus remains one of science’s most intriguing mysteries.
The study also confirmed earlier findings that LUCA was an anaerobe (oxygen was toxic to him), a thermophile (thriving in heat), and derived energy from dissolved carbon dioxide and hydrogen, likely living near underwater volcanoes emitting hydrogen and heating the water.
The most groundbreaking discovery of this new research is LUCA’s immune system, which included 19 genes of the CRISPR-Cas9 apparatus. This same system, which modern bacteria use to slice the genetic material of attacking viruses, is now a revolutionary tool in genetic engineering. This method of genome editing holds immense potential, allowing us to create new organisms and control our own evolution. Yet, LUCA had CRISPR at the dawn of time, reminding us not to overestimate our technological achievements.
@science
Matthew Fitzpatrick from the University of Maryland analyzed climate data from 40,581 settlements worldwide and created an interactive map called “Future Urban Climate.” By clicking on your city, the map will show you what its climate will be like in 2080 by finding the closest current climate analog.
“I hope this map will encourage discussions about climate change. It might help people better understand the scale of the consequences and why scientists are so concerned,” said Fitzpatrick.
Matthew Fitzpatrick is not a science fiction writer but a spatial ecology expert, and climate change is his field of study. He used data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Have you found your city on the map? Ready to travel to 2080?
❗️ Warning! The map is highly addictive. 😎
#climate #ecology #science
🧠 Mind-Reading Tech: Synchron Beats Neuralink!
Startup Synchron has successfully integrated an AI neural network with its brain implant, enabling thought-to-text communication. This breakthrough allows paralyzed individuals to chat and generate speech, offering a new lifeline for those with limited abilities. Synchron’s innovation surpasses Neuralink, promising a revolutionary change in assistive technology.
Soon, people with disabilities will experience a new level of independence and connectivity.
@science
🌱 Bill Gates Backs Eco-Friendly Butter! 🌱
Bill Gates supports Savor, a startup turning CO2 and hydrogen into butter-like fats. This innovation mimics traditional fats without the environmental impact of dairy or plant-based alternatives. Using a thermochemical process, Savor creates sustainable fats, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and resource use. This breakthrough could revolutionize dairy and meat alternatives, helping us meet climate goals.
@science
🦋 Intricate Cocoon Construction by Cyana Moth Caterpillar
This intricate cage, reminiscent of a hammock, was constructed by a Cyana moth pupa while it was still a caterpillar, using its own hairs bound with silk. When the time comes for its final molt, the caterpillar selects a spot on the northern side of a tree trunk, usually one to two meters above the ground. This placement helps prevent overheating during the hottest midday hours.
The cocoon is strong and rigid; if touched, it quickly returns to its original shape. It has two exits: one at the front and one at the rear. The rear exit is used by the caterpillar to push out its old skin when it becomes a pupa, while the front exit is used by the adult moth to emerge.
Explore the fascinating world of insect behavior and adaptation with us.
🦋 @science
🏗️ Hoover Dam Construction, 1935
The Hoover Dam, a 221-meter-high concrete arch-gravity dam, was constructed in 1935 along the lower Colorado River. This monumental engineering feat also includes a hydroelectric power plant, which continues to be a crucial source of renewable energy.
📌@science
And here’s a photograph of genuine noctilucent clouds taken by one of our channel authors this Monday. These clouds float at an altitude of approximately 76-85 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. Known as mesospheric or night-shining clouds, they appear in the mesosphere, which lies above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere. This phenomenon is most commonly observed during summer.
Observers on Earth might mistake them for cirrus clouds, which hover at altitudes of 6-18 kilometers. However, cirrus clouds are only visible during the day, while noctilucent clouds can be seen after sunset or before sunrise. These clouds are extremely sparse and are the highest clouds in the Earth’s atmosphere. They are visible only when the Sun is 6-16 degrees below the horizon, illuminating them from below.
There have been speculations that noctilucent clouds consist of volcanic or meteoric dust. However, data from the American satellite UARS (Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite) has shown that they are primarily made of water ice.
⚛ @science
Not What You Think: The Curious Shapes of Lava
Don’t be alarmed! What you see isn’t what you might initially think. These fascinating formations are simply lava that has solidified into peculiar shapes that resemble human bodies. The remarkable photo was taken in Hawaii by volcanologist Laszlo Kestay in 1996.
Such formations occur when lava cools and solidifies in unusual ways, often influenced by the surrounding environment and the flow dynamics. This particular image serves as a captivating reminder of the diverse and sometimes eerie beauty of volcanic activity.
#history
🌋 @science