Andrei Mihai ZME Science

Highlights from the 2015 Nat Geo Traveler Photo Contest

The 27th annual National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest kicked off in April, but is accepting entries until June 30. If you want to sign up for the contest, you can do so by clicking here. There are quite some hefty prizes, including: 1st prize: An eight-day National Geographic Photo Expedition: Costa Rica and the Panama Canal […]

Scientists discover pre-human species that roamed with "Lucy"

In 1974, anthropologists found a 40% complete skeleton of a female which they identified as a pre-human species; they called her Lucy. Lucy is estimated to have lived 3.2 million years ago, she is classified as a hominin, and she is without a doubt one of the most important findings in history. Now, scientists have found […]

When science meets art: a sensor-based mirror made of fur

Artist Daniel Rozin has designed a surprising mirror-like device from… fur. Dubbed the PomPom Mirror, it relies on motion sensors and 928 faux fur pom poms manipulated by 464 motors to create a mirror reflection of the viewer in real-time. Sure, the mirror only works in black and white, but the effect is surprising and spectacular. This […]

Robo-roach and robo-bird team up to conduct recon mission

It’s almost like a Disney movie: a roach helps a bird take off from its back in order to save their friends – except both the roach and the bird are robotic, and the recon mission was just a test conducted in a lab from the University of California, Berkeley. But this technology could save lives […]

Sturdy virus might help us treat infectious diseases

Scientists are studying a virus that survives in extremely hot environments in the hope that it will give us better ways of fighting infectious diseases.

Bad Science - Study on Gay Marriage Was Fake, Gets Retracted

The scientific community is in shock after one of the largest scientific publishers, Science, was forced to retract a study on gay marriage; the reason? The data on which it was based was almost certainly fake.

Panther chameleon is a biological ninja

Scientists have discovered what they thought to a different species of chameleon - but DNA analysis revealed that they were in fact dealing with 11 different species, hiding in plain sight.

Bronze Age Priestess Traveled Huge Distances

In 1921, archaeologists found the remains of a Bronze Age priestess, dubbed the Egtved Girl. Now, a new study reveals that the priestess, who was found in Denmark, likely traveled hundreds of kilometers and was born somewhere in Germany. The Egtved Girl was, according to all clues, an extraordinary person. She only lived to be […]

Even more glaciers in Antarctica set to melt in the near future

Just a few days ago were telling you about a huge, 10,000 year old ice shelf that is set to collapse in less than 10 years and now... the same thing is happening again, a bit more to the south.

Watch: two men flying with jetpacks in Dubai

The future is here – bring me my jetpack. Yves “the Jetman” Rossy and his protege, Vince Reffet do a fantastic job at illustrating that, pushing the limits of jetpack technology; and what better place to do it than Dubai? Warning – this video isn’t for the faint of heart, nor for those afraid of heights. […]

The future is now: meet the world's first throw-and-shoot camera

Meet Lily. I think Lily’s pretty awesome – after all, she’s the world’s first throw-and-shoot camera. All you have to do is throw it in the air, and it just starts following you and shooting. It’s waterproof, it’s compact, it can take both HD photos and videos, and it lands in your hand after flying up […]

Snakes evolved on land, possibly with toes and feet

A new analysis conducted by Yale researchers revealed that the first snakes may have actually evolved on land, not in water. These proto-snakes were likely night hunters that might have had hind legs and even toes. “We generated the first comprehensive reconstruction of what the ancestral snake was like,” said Allison Hsiang, lead author the […]

Panda poo shows they shouldn't munch on bamboo so much

Giant pandas love to feast on bamboo - it's their favorite food, and they easily make quick work of it, using their powerful jaws to peel the plant's tough bark and get to its tender core. But even though the pandas love it, their stomachs don't - a new study has revealed that the panda's stomach is not adapted to a completely herbivorous diet, and still craves for an omnivorous meal, like other bears.

Fossil fuels are subsidized by $14.5 billion a day

A shocking conclusion came from an International Monetary Fund report: they found that fossil fuels will be subsidized by a whopping $5.3 trillion dollars, way more than total health spendings of the entire world combined.

Scientists describe method to create morphine at home

Scientists have managed how to create morphine using a kit like the ones used to make beer at home. They used genetically modified yeast to perform the complicated process of turning sugar into morphine, and while they believe this can have huge medical significance, they also express concerns about "homebrewed" drugs.

Why Nestle is one of the most hated companies in the world

Child labor, unethical promotion, manipulating uneducated mothers, pollution, price fixing and mislabeling – those are not words you want to see associated with your company. Nestle is the world’s largest foodstuff company, and it has a history that would make even hardcore industrialists shiver. We’re gonna look at why Nestle has such a bad reputation […]

Earthquake swarm indicates lava build-up at Kilauea volcanoes

Geologists are expecting increased activity on the Kilauea volcano, warning that another eruption is likely possible. It seems that lava continues to build up, as manifested through a swarm of minor earthquakes.

Dramatic Californian Drought Forces Salmon to Take the Highway

California's record drought has completely dried off large swaths of rivers, including the San Joaquin River, which means that juvenile salmon can't actually reach the sea. In a desperate effort to save an entire generation of hatchlings, authorities are transporting them by truck, on the highway.

The science of 'ballooning' - or why it's raining spiders in Australia

It's raining... spiders. Countless baby spiders are falling from the ski in the Australian city Goulburn, South Australia, covering the entire landscape in spider webs.

Isotopes inside salmon ear tell a fishy story

According to a new study, just like tree rings carry with them hints about previous dry or rainy years, bones in fish carry with them a specific signature which records the chemical composition of the waters they used to live in. Most vertebrates, especially fish, have what is called an ‘otolith’ – a specific bony structure […]

NASA is offering over $2 million for the best design for a 3D printed Martian habitat

NASA is offering up to $2.25 million to anyone that can successfully design a habitat that can be 3D printed on Mars. The announcement is part of a broader attempt by NASA to outsource ideas and projects.

Huge Ice Shelf in Antarctica Set to Collapse

A NASA study has found that a huge ice shelf is set to collapse in a few years. The ice shelf, which has existed for over 12,000 years, is estimated to be over 200 meters thick.

Your hand shake is an indicator of your heart's health

You can find out a lot about a man by his handshake - about his personality, his feelings towards you, or... his heart health. According to a new Canadian study, a firm handshake is a reliable indicator of good health; they actually want to use handshake tests as initial ways to gauge the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Bee numbers dropping at incredible rates

Something is killing off the bees; it's likely us, and we'll all have to pay the price. In fact, in many areas of the world, we already are.

Another strong earthquake hits Nepal, no casualties reported

It seems like the people of Nepal just can't catch a break - another large, 7.4 earthquake has struck, sending the people from the capital of Kathmandu running on the streets scared.

Velociraptor's cousin was an even better predator

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a new species of dinosaur, closely related to the famous velociraptor. This new species, Saurornitholestes sullivani was a bit bulkier, probably had a better sense of smell, an researchers believe it was an even better predator than its cousin.

Curiosity Enjoys Romantic Sunset on Mars

Using its Mast Camera, the Curiosity Rover has snapped stunning images of a blue sunset on the Red Planet. The blue-tinted images show the Sun dipping into the horizon as blue streaks shroud the sky across the evening light.

When nature calls in outer space: here's how astronauts use the toilet

A few days ago, we were telling you about the espresso machine 3D printed onboard the International Space Station. Now, it’s time to go full circle and look at how the coffee… gets out of the body. Here’s how astronauts use the toilet (yes, in case you’re wondering, this is suitable for viewing at work): […]

5 Ways Louis Pasteur Changed the World

Widely considered one of the most brilliant scientists in history, Louis Pasteur basically revolutionized the world as we know it.

Archaeologists in Madagascar discover the treasure of notorious pirate Captain Kidd

Archaeologists working in Madagascar have uncovered the treasure hidden by the notorious pirate Captain Kidd – and they have the loot to prove it: a 50 kg silver bar they presented to the president of Madagascar. US explorer Barry Clifford discovered the shipwreck and recovered the silver bar, but he believes that many more still […]

New Discovery Suggests the Arabs Met the Vikings in Ancient Times

Archaeologists have uncovered a silver ring with an Arabic inscription in a Viking grave, adding support to the theory that the two cultures had fascinating connections. Different Cultures “I have never seen bodies as nearly perfect as theirs. As tall as palm trees, fair and reddish, they wear neither tunics nor kaftans. Every man wears […]

Meet the first space barista: she's Italian, and she's awesome

A few days ago, we were telling you about the first cup of coffee ever made in space, onboard the International Space Station, thanks to a 3D printed espresso machine. Along with it, six mugs were also supplied, but these are not just ordinary mugs; they have a sharp inner corner that allows the liquid to be pushed along the inside of the cup and towards the astronaut’s lips. So, now that we have the first spatial coffee, let's have a look at the person who made it.

The surreal practice of honey hunting in Nepal

The life of a beekeeper is not an easy one, but for bee hunters, it’s an entirely different world. In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, bee hunting is an ancient art practiced by some Himalayan civilizations in one way or another in the past 10,000 years. It’s been done in 8,000 BC, it’s […]

Book review: 'A Dictionary of Geology and Earth Sciences (4 ed.)'

“A Dictionary of Geology and Earth Sciences” By Michael Allaby Oxford, 672pp | Buy on Amazon Confession time: I’ve previously never owned a geology dictionary. I know, I know, I was that guy – always taking something from the University library, borrowing from my colleagues or looking for stuff online. Mea culpa – but then again, I […]

Timelapse video perfectly highlights world's largest salt flat

Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat at 10,582 square kilometers (4,086 sq mi). It is located in the Daniel Campos Province in Potosí in southwest Bolivia, close to the crests of the Andes, at 3,656 meters (11,995 ft) above sea level. It was captured in all its splendor in the above timelapse, by Enrique Pacheco. […]

Scientists find new microorganism that may shed light on evolution of complex cells

The discovery of a new microorganism may help bridge the knowledge gap between simple and complex cellular organisms, also shedding light on how complex cellular life came to be.

The LHC is back in business!

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has smashed its first particle since it was shut down two years ago. The particle accelerator is heating up with some low energy collisions, CERN said in a statement.

Fight fire with fire: toxic gut bacteria used against itself

Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that can cause numerous medical problems, including colitis or colon inflammation; in severe cases, it can actually be fatal. Now, doctors have tried a new approach in dealing with it - they tried not to eliminate it, but to replace it with its friendlier cousins.

Mysterious Oregon Lake Disappears into Lava Tunnel

Every year, in Oregon, a mysterious lake fills up with snow melt, and then every year it disappears; it’s a natural wonder that had many scientists puzzled as to where the water is going, but now, the mystery is out: the water appears to go into a lava tube. They call it the Lost […]

Berlin T-shirt vending machine shows shoppers where cheap clothes come from

Would you buy a t-shirt for under $3? Most people would say they would, but many people in Berlin who were given the chance bounced on the opportunity, as they were shown images of the shirt’s production. A vending machine was installed in Berlin, offering 2 Euro t-shirts ($2.25 USD), as part of the Fashion Revolution Day. […]

Huge floods might have spelled doom for prevalent American civilization

Megafloods likely wiped out one of the most significant American civilizations, a new study has concluded. Until now, the reason of their demise remained a mystery.

Fjords are good at fighting global warming, study finds

While fjords are admired worldwide for their unique beauty, a new study has found that these natural ecosystems also act as carbon sinks, playing an important role in regulating our planet's climate.

China develops scientific centers in Antarctica. But why?

China is showing increased interest in Antarctica, developing several outposts and research stations on the frozen continent. But while from a research perspective that may seem interesting and exciting, China's interests seem more strategic than research-focused. Here's why.

25,000 Mexican Fisherman Sue BP Over Environmental Disaster

Five years after the British Petroleum catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico, Mexican fishermen have still not received any compensation, so they've decided to sue the oil giant.

Underwater volcano erupts off the coast of Oregon

An underwater volcano 300 miles off the coast of Oregon has awakened from its slumber and apears to spew out lava. There is no immediate danger, but geologists are excited to be able to study it in real time.

Book review: ‘Introduction to Mineralogy’

Mineralogy is one of the most beautiful and most difficult subjects in geology - I had a love/hate relationship with it in my undergrad years. Reading an introductory textbook takes me back, and brings back lots of memories - and it doesn't get much better than this when it comes to textbooks. The second edition of Introduction to Mineralogy does a great job at complementing its predecessor and sets a high standard for mineralogy textbooks worldwide.

Swap a sweet drink for water and you get a 25% lower chance of diabetes

Swapping out a single daily sweet drink for water or unsweetened tea or coffee can lower the risk of diabetes by up to 25%, a new research suggests.

The Bombardier Beetle Packs a Hot Machine Gun

Many beetles have defense mechanisms which involves foul chemicals squirting from their abdomens, but bombardier beetles have taken it to the next level. Researchers from MIT, the University of Arizona, and Brookhaven National Laboratory wanted to see how it works, so they studied the bombardier beetle and figured it out. The research is published in Science.

9 Foods to Make Sure You're Eating Enough Potassium

Potassium is one of the more important nutrients in our diet, and the recommended daily dietary intake is 4700mg – but few of us actually get even close to that figure (you may need more or less potassium depending on your body and if you have certain medical conditions). Sure, you can take dietary supplements, but […]

Aesthetic arrangements from garbage? Alejandro Duran’s site-specific dirty decorations

They say that one man’s trash is another man’s gold, but artist Alejandro Duran gave a whole new meaning to that saying. Walking along the coastline in Sian Ka’an, Mexico’s largest federally-protected reserve, he collects many bits of trash that wash up on the coast from all over the world and uses them for site site-specific installations for an ongoing […]

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