Other on ZME Science

The creative and (often times) dirty things Romans wrote on walls

Writing on walls is one of the oldest things humans did – people drew on walls in the stone age, and they still do so now (well, some do, anyway). But I’d dare say that no one has taken the art of writing on walls to the same level as romans – sometimes poetic, sometimes […]

WORLD's smallest comic is carved on a single strand of human hair

“Juanita Knits the Planet” is a short comic strip that tells the story of Juanita, a very creative little girl. In fact, she’s only 10 microns tall, small enough for the entire comic strip to fit on a strand of human hair, making it the smallest comic in the world. The strip was printed for the […]

Interview with researcher Simone Kuhn about video games and the brain

A while ago, we published an article about a study which showed that playing video games improves spatial orientation, memory formation and strategic planning. You can read our article here and the full study on Nature, but here’s the gist of it: researchers made subjects play Super Mario 64 for 30 mintues a day over a period of 2 […]

The 2014 Smithsonian Photo Contest Finalists

Smithsonian has just announced the 60 finalists for their 11th Annual Photo Contest. They selected the 60 photographs out of over 50.000 entries, sent by photographers all over the world. They selected 10 finalists for each of their 6 categories The Natural World, Travel, People, Americana, Altered Images and Mobile – which is a newly added category. Everyone and anyone can vote! You can cast […]

Photographing the oldest living things in the world

Rachel Sussman is a contemporary artist who focuses on photographing the oldest living things in the world. As part of her project “The Oldest Living Things in the World” (creative, I know), she researches and works with biologists, traveling all over the world to take pictures of things older than 2000 years old. Stewart Brand calls her […]

The science (or art?) of growing tree root bridges

In the depths of northeastern India, in one of the wettest places on earth, bridges aren’t built—they’re grown. India has over 1 billion people, and many of them live in poverty – 21% of all people in India fall below the international poverty line of US$ 1.25 per day. In many parts of the country, especially in the north-east, it always seems […]

Grand Canyon Geology Lesson - brought to you by NASA

The Grand Canyon is a favorite for tourists all over the world – but if you think it’s cool to see it from the ground level, you haven’t seen it from above – the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona is also a favorite for astronauts shooting photos from the International Space Station. The Grand Canyon is […]

NASA spots 5 volcanoes erupting at the same time in Russia

Remote, cold, rugged, and fiedy – that’s the Kamceatka Peninsula for you! Out of all the 1,550 volcanoes that have erupted in the recent geologic past, 113 are found on Kamchatka. Of those, 40 Kamceatkan volcanoes are active, either erupting now or capable of erupting anytime, without any notice. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on the Landsat 8 satellite captured […]

GeoPicture of the Week (2): Volcanic eruption seen from the space shuttle

In this incredible capture taken on 30 September 1994, we see a major eruption of Klyuchevskaya Sopka as seen by the astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. It is yet another testament of the immense power that volcanoes have, as the ash rose 60.000 feet into the air (almost 19.000 meters) and spread as far as 640 miles […]

How does a message in a bottle survive for 101 years at sea?

Last week, the story of a German fisherman made front news after he found a message in bottle floating in the Baltic Sea for nearly 101 years. What’s more, despite most of the text written was undecipherable, researchers at the Hamburg Museum were able to find the sender’s name and deliver the message to his […]

Bing images: the January edition

I don’t really use Bing all that often, but I think that they do some things significantly better than the competition. However, I don’t want to get into a discussion about search engines and all that, that’s not what this is about. When I was using Bing, I noticed that they add an awesome image […]

A life in a pond - amazing timelapse video

If you’ve ever looked at a pond and thought “Well, not much really going on here”, you couldn’t have been further from the truth. As this fantastic video created by Daniel Stupin shows, a lot is happening even in apparently still ponds. The hidden life in pond water from Daniel Stoupin on Vimeo. If you’re […]

First video ever of the "snub nosed monkey" - a monkey species discovered only in 2010

Rhinopithecus strykeri, also known as the Myanmar Snub-Nosed Monkey or Sneezing Monkey was discovered just a few years ago, in 2010. Their small numbers and elusive behaviors made them very hard to find, and since them, even harder to study. All the species of snub-nosed monkeys have short stubby noses, but R. strykeri’s is just […]

Video gamers' aggression linked to frustration, not violent games

Video games have been getting more and more attention, partly due the fact that more and more children (and adults) are playing them, and partly due to the fact that some advantages of playing them are starting to surface. Now, a new study has shown that gamers’ hostile behavior is linked to the experience of […]

The Science Behind Spending

It seems like ever since the first caveman opened up the first popup barter-based kiosk people have been trying to explain why we spend the way we do (and when we do) and retailers have been trying to exploit that information for all it’s worth. There have been numerous tests down through the years and […]

The Pharmacy that prescribes Monster Spray to kids that are scared of the dark

In the small town of Watford City, North Dakota (population 1,744), the local pharmacy has a cure for kids that are afraid of the dark. The bottle looks like any other drug (more or less), and comes with this simple indication: Spray around the room at night before bed, repeat if necessary. The bottle is […]

Skydiver nearly struck by meteor, catches it all on film

Anders Helstrup and several other members of Oslo Parachute Club were expecting a good time, and no major events when they went skydiving in Hedmark, Norway. They most certainly weren’t expecting a meteor swooping by past them. This is the first time in history that a meteorite has been filmed in the air after its […]

Supermice break out of Lockheed Martin R&D facility; threaten humanity

The premiere animal model used in research facilities all over the world, the lab mouse, might replace humans at top of the food chain, according to the latest WikiLeaks document released to the public. The leaked classified Lockheed Martin report states that 394 mice showing extraordinary skill beyond their native possibility escaped from holding pen […]

Perpetual motion machine devised in Chinese sweatshop

A team of Chinese researchers from the Human Resource Management department at a XIULAB, one of the biggest manufacturers in Shenzhen, China, shocked the world after they announced they have finally unraveled the mysteries of perpetual motion machines. There is an undisputed scientific consensus that perpetual motion violates either the first law of thermodynamics, the second law of thermodynamics, or […]

Earth-like planets worried they may someday support human life

As we were telling you a while ago, the Kepler telescope found several potentially life-supporting planets, including a couple of which orbit the same star and have Earth-like characteristics. Kepler-62f is a rocky world just 1.4 times bigger than Earth, while Kepler-62e is 1.6 times larger than Earth. Both orbit a star called Kepler 22 […]

Scientists baffled as laws of physics still stand

It has to be the most uninteresting year in science – in the 3 months that have passed, absolutely nothing has broken the laws of physics, concludes a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Institute of Science (PNIS). “No faster than light travel, no cloning of extinct animals, all we’ve had is normal, […]

Using famous paintings to study Earth's past atmosphere

When it comes to studying the Earth’s atmosphere and pollution, paintings are not really where you usually go to gather information. But team of Greek and German researchers suggest that colors of sunsets painted by famous artists can offer clues about our planet’s past atmosphere. They mainly focused on paintings that depicted ash and gas […]

Isaac Asimov Predicts in 1964 What the World Will Look Like Today — in 2014

If you’re like me and you really love reading Sci-Fi novels and stories, then you definitely know who Isaac Asimov is – but if that’s not really the case, then let me give you a bit of background: he is one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than […]

Crania Americana: the most influential book on scientific racism

For men of simple means and upbringing, it’s easy to credit racism: the other fellow is different from me – his skin is of another color, his hair is weird, his language sounds stupid. Racism has had a wicked role to play in society since antiquity, fueling the murders and enslaving of millions of people […]

The Egyptian pyramids... as seen from the KFC

With all the hard science we’ve publishing this week, I thought we could use a little fluff – here’s a striking picture of the iconic Pyramids of Giza from the inside of a nearby KFC. Unless you’ve actually visited the archaeological site, or you’ve had the curiosity of checking it, you probably don’t realize just […]

Robot prosthetic helps drummer play like a three-armed cyborg

A freak accident left Jason Barnes without his left arm below the elbow – a disheartening matter by all means, made worse when considering he also used to be a drummer. The young man did not despair, however, and as an Atlanta Institute of Music and Media student he sought to fill in his missing arm as best […]

The 'neurocam' records your most precious moments - do we need it though?

With Google Glass, the search engine giant wants to bring social networking and personal video editing a step further, by offering the means to record, edit, augment reality and share your point of view in real time. It’s very interesting, and I’m guessing Glass is where Dr. Yasue Mitsukura of Keio University, Japan got the […]

How to survive a nuclear attack: mathematical model gives you some options

The first moments following a nuclear attack are crucial. If you’re right in line of the blast, well … you’re pretty much toast. For people out of the initial blast’s way, but still subjected to lethal fallout, making the right steps can mean the difference between life and death. Not satisfied with the official government […]

Physicists explain 'gravity-defying' chain trick

It seems more like a magic trick than pure physics – the fountain-like motion of a chain of beads has puzzled millions around the world with its apparently gravity-defying behaviour. Now, physicists have found an explanation for it – but it’s far from intuitive. British science presenter Steve Mould, who made the experiment famous with […]

Scientists model for awesome 2014 pin-up calendar

When you think about calendars, scientists are pretty much the last thing that comes to mind – models, animals, cars, or landscapes usually fill that role. But just for moment picture a climate scientist in a slinky red dress and high heels, brandishing a fire extinguisher as she tries in vain to save the last […]

Team discovers lost, 100-year old pictures from Antarctica expedition

Photographic negatives left a century ago in Captain Scott’s last expedition base at Cape Evans have been discovered and conserved by New Zealand’s Antarctic Heritage Trust. The pictures were found in photographer Herbert Ponting’s darkroom and have now been revealed, showing never before seen Antarctic images. In total, the negative revealed 22 images, after detailed […]

Season's greetings from ZME Science

2014 is drawing nearer and nearer, and the Christmas holidays are upon us! It’s the time of the year to be joyful and merry. Enjoy the spirit of the season with your loved ones, and carry this spirit with you throughout the entire 2014; be better people, to yourselves and to the ones around you, […]

The stunning Eye of God nebula

Arguably, NGC 7293 is maybe the most stunning deep space photograph astronomers have captured thus far. The nebula, located approximately 700 light-years from Earth in the constellation of Aquarius, goes by the name of the Helix Nebula, but it’s also sometimes referred to as the Eye of God. It’s easy to understand why. A lot of planetary […]

Tips to Stay Eco-Friendly and Chic for Christmas

Sadly, in recent years, Christmas has shifted away from its (already controversial roots) into a consumerism centered holiday. So what can you do, if you want to have a green, eco-friendly celebration, but still cherish the warm Christmas spirit? Here’s what you should do: Find the right tree The Christmas tree is at the heart […]

AstroPicture of the Week: Magnificent picture puts Antarctica into perspective

Since Antarctica is so far away and inaccessible, most people have many misconceptions about how big and significant it really is. Antarctica, on average, is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent, and has the highest average elevation of all the continents. There are no permanent residents on it, but anywhere from 1.000 to 5.000 may […]

Photosynthesis bike purifies the air as you ride

Biking to work or downtown when the weather allows it is one of the greenest things you can do – not only does it prevent the gases you would be emitting by driving, but it’s also a great way to keep in shape. But a new concept unveiled in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, could take things […]

Tardigrades - the microscopic water bears that defy all odds

They’re small and cute, and while indeed these creatures are completely harmless, make no mistake – these are some tough ‘gummy bears’. Called tardigrades or water bears, these eight-legged invertebrates have evolved to survive in some of the most extreme environments on Earth. Rightfully so, they’ve been classed by scientists as extremophiles – creatures that are […]

Medieval Latin dictionary completed after 100 years of work. Last entry is a type of beer

A truly monumental task has finally been finished: the final part of an epic dictionary of medieval Latin is to be published this week, finally closing a project that started over 100 years ago. The Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources has more than 58,000 entries, and spans over 15 volumes. The 16th and […]

Top Universities grade inflation? Most common grade at Harvard is A, median is A-

The most common grade at Harvard is A, and the median grade is A-, Dean of Undergraduate Education Jay M. Harris explained, raising fears about top American Universities artificially inflating their grades or employing softer grading standards. The information was delivered at the monthly meeting of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, as a response […]

Does a green roof on a bus really make sense?

Greening the urban environment is not only pleasant to look at – it’s a necessity! But as cool as planting a green roof on a bus is, is this really an efficient way to go at it? The good I absolutely love green roofs – and I love innovative public transportation! It makes sense that […]

Using Origami to solve a space problem

Brigham Young University (BYU) engineers have teamed up with one of the world’s leading experts in origami to solve one of space exploration’s most challenging (and ironic) problems – the lack of space. Working with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a team of mechanical engineers have designed a solar array that can be tightly compacted for […]

The Horrors of War: Exploding Dogs Were Used as Anti-Tank Mines in WWII

War is horrific. It’s not what you see on TV, it’s not what you hear about in the news – you can not understand it unless you’ve seen it – something which I hope less and less people can claim. Among all wars carried out by mankind, World War II is by far the most […]

Outstanding entries from the 2013 National Geographic Photo Contest

National Geographic invites photographers from all around the world to sign up for their 2013 National Geographic Photography Contest. The grand-prize winner will receive $10,000 (USD) and a trip to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., to participate in the annual National Geographic Photography Seminar in January 2014. There are three categories in which you can […]

Comet ISON offers a rare Thanksgiving sight with closest flyby to the sun

UPDATE: Telescopes saw the giant ball of ice and dust disappear behind the star, but then fail to emerge as expected. ISON is dead and gone, folks. Sorry. The ISON comet, a giant icy cosmic body from deep space, may just become the most spectacular comet ever – if it lives past today’s Thanksgiving that is. […]

Engineers try to seal Chernobyl with a giant arch

Chernobyl is still one of the most radioactive places on the face of the Earth, and authorities are working on a huge program to reduce any further risks of contamination. Work began in recent days to remove, bit by bit, the giant chimney protruding from the Chernobyl nuclear power station. The Chernobyl disaster was a […]

UK funds new cutting-edge science facilities, but forgets it needs to pay the electricity bill

The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has recently issued a report that laments the embarrassing lack of efficient planning and strategy of science funding in the UK. Namely, the report speaks primarily of the seemingly lack of communication between the people who write the funding projects for infrastructure and those who write the […]

Gorilla mother uses makeshift ladder to help her young climb an obstacle [PHOTO]

While chimpanzees, which are our closest relatives sharing 98% of our genetic blueprint, are notorious for their widespread tool use, the same can’t be said about gorillas. The great apes have only been caught twice by researchers engaged in tool use. One used a stick to explore the depth of a muddy river and another […]

Brooke Greenberg, the toddler who never aged, dies at age 20

A few years ago ZME Science reported the peculiar case of Brooke Greenberg, a woman who was born prematurely at just four pounds but never physically developed into an adult. Her condition baffled her doctors as well as the scientific community who even to this day hasn’t managed to pinpoint what exactly was wrong with […]

Stuxnet virus that crippled Iranian nuclear facility infects International Space Station

The world’s most complex malware ever created, the Stuxnet virus which was designed and enforced by the U.S. and Israel against Iran a few years ago, may have ended up infecting the International Space Station according to leading security analyst Eugene Kaspersky head of IT security at Kaspersky Labs. The virus was designed to only attack specific […]

GeoPicture of the week: Tree fossil with opal growth rings

This is a part of an opalized tree, and the rings you see are actually tree rings; or at least they were. This is an very rare sample: opal can be fairly common in petrified wood, but this is a fire opal, which makes it so much more valuable. Fire opals are transparent to translucent […]

« Previous 1 … 27 28 29 30 31 … 39 Next »