Scientists have reached an extraordinary milestone in particle accelerator technology by creating an ultrashort electron beam with five times more peak current than any other beam of its kind on Earth. This groundbreaking advance, detailed in Physical Review Letters, represents a monumental step forward in beam physics and accelerator science. It offers researchers an entirely … Read more
For centuries, the megalodon has dominated both scientific imagination and pop culture as a massive, fearsome version of today’s great white shark. Its sheer size, combined with its reputation as one of the most formidable predators ever to roam the oceans, has made it a subject of endless fascination. Hollywood has reinforced this image with … Read more
A groundbreaking archaeological study conducted along the banks of the Jordan River, just south of northern Israel’s Hula Valley, is rewriting what we thought we knew about the diets of early humans. For decades, much of the scientific community—and by extension, popular culture—has embraced the idea that ancient hunter-gatherers were predominantly meat-eaters, surviving largely on … Read more
In the context of climate change, the Arctic is experiencing some of the most rapid and pronounced warming in the world. As a result, ecosystems in the region are undergoing significant transformations. In an interdisciplinary cooperation project involving three major EU-funded initiatives—FACE-IT, ECOTIP, and SEA-Quester—scientists have explored the ecological consequences of this warming, with a … Read more
Gels are a common part of everyday life, with applications ranging from the sticky substances we use in our hair to the jelly-like components found in food. These materials share some characteristics with human skin, which also exhibits gel-like qualities, though skin is a far more complex material. Human skin uniquely combines high stiffness with … Read more
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the origins of lightning. Their study, recently published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres (JGR Atmospheres), suggests that cosmic-ray showers might play a pivotal role in triggering lightning flashes in thunderstorms. This discovery, which provides valuable insights into the complex mechanisms behind … Read more
The history of the Bronze Age in North Africa, particularly in the Maghreb region, has long been overlooked in favor of better-documented settlements in Europe. For decades, this area was often dismissed as an “empty land” until the arrival of the Phoenicians around 800 BC. This erroneous historical narrative excluded the rich and complex early … Read more
Deciphering ancient scripts has always been a monumental task, often demanding years of study, painstaking manual effort, and a deep understanding of historical context. Among the most enigmatic writing systems in human history is cuneiform, an ancient script that emerged in Mesopotamia over five millennia ago. Written by pressing a stylus into soft clay tablets, … Read more
The human brain is often described as the most complex and sophisticated information processing system in existence. Every second, it integrates an immense amount of sensory data, evaluates internal signals, and orchestrates finely-tuned responses that allow us to interact with the world. Underpinning this extraordinary ability is a highly organized and interconnected network of neurons—specialized … Read more
Roughly 105 million years ago, deep in what is now northern Spain, a small beetle became trapped in a droplet of sticky tree resin. As it struggled and thrashed in vain to free itself, the resin slowly encased its body, preserving it in a golden tomb that would endure for over a hundred million years. … Read more