A growing body of research suggests that modern humans did not originate from a single location, but instead emerged through interactions among groups spread across different regions of Africa. Traditionally, scientists have explained where these populations lived based mainly on climate. New findings now point to another powerful influence: disease, particularly malaria. In a study…
Redi Tlhabi speaks to Professor Robert Pape on the rise of political violence in the US. After the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, has the US entered a new age of political violence? The third alleged attempted assassination of US President Donald Trump in recent years follows a series of politically motivated…
A mechanical artwork first imagined in 1775 to recreate the eruption of Italy’s Mount Vesuvius has been brought to life for the first time, 250 years after it was conceived. The revival was made possible through modern technology and the creativity of two engineering students at the University of Melbourne. The original idea came from…
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have uncovered a built in process that can remove existing amyloid plaques from the brains of mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease while also helping preserve memory and thinking ability. The discovery centers on astrocytes, star shaped support cells in the brain, which can be directed to clear away the…
Two major fault systems along North America’s West Coast, the Cascadia subduction zone and the San Andreas fault, may be more closely connected than previously believed. A new study suggests that activity on one fault could trigger earthquakes on the other, raising the possibility of closely timed seismic events. “We’re used to hearing the ‘Big…
US President Donald Trump has said that all state permits for the 2026 recreational red snapper fishing season have been approved, a move he says will expand access for anglers across southeastern coastal states. In a post shared on Truth Social on Friday, Trump described the decision as a “huge win” for fishermen in states…
If you believe getting stronger requires pushing yourself to the limit at the gym, new research suggests otherwise. Findings from Edith Cowan University (ECU) show that improving muscle size, strength, and performance does not depend on exhausting workouts or feeling sore afterward. “The idea that exercise must be exhausting or painful is holding people back,”…
In a dry riverbed deep within a forest near the Amazon in Brazil, paleontologists uncovered a fossilized jawbone from a previously unknown ancient animal. As their excavation continued, the team found eight more similar jawbones, each about six inches long. However, they did not recover any additional bones that could clearly be matched to a…
Researchers from several South American institutions have identified a new species of crevice weaver spider, expanding what scientists know about the Pikelinia genus. The species, named Pikelinia floydmuraria, pays tribute to the legendary band Pink Floyd while also reflecting where the spider lives. The name “muraria,” derived from the Latin word for “wall,” highlights its…
Alzheimer’s disease is often described in numbers, with millions of people affected, cases rising quickly, and costs reaching into the trillions. For families, however, the experience is deeply personal. “It’s a slow bereavement,” says Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Professor Nicholas Tonks, whose mother lived with Alzheimer’s. “You lose the person piece by piece.” A major…
