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Mad Science

11 stories

A Gene From the Human Brain Leapt Into a Virusβ€”and Scientists Have No Idea What It’s Doing There
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A Gene From the Human Brain Leapt Into a Virusβ€”and Scientists Have No Idea What It’s Doing There

Researchers have identified a human brain gene, BC200, that has unexpectedly appeared within a virus. Scientists currently do not understand the function or implications of this genetic transfer.

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Scientists discover older air fryers can leak chemicals even when empty
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Scientists discover older air fryers can leak chemicals even when empty

Researchers found that older air fryers may release volatile organic compounds and ultrafine particles into the air even when they are not in use. The study suggests these machines can emit these substances while sitting idle in a sealed environment.

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NASA Hubble Cold Case: A Dead Star May Have Given Birth to a New Planet
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NASA Hubble Cold Case: A Dead Star May Have Given Birth to a New Planet

Astronomers revisiting old Hubble Space Telescope data have found evidence suggesting a white dwarf star may be orbited by a second-generation planet. This discovery could resolve a long-standing mystery regarding the evolution of dead stars.

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Jurassic fossil reveals ancient origins of how mammals drink milk
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Jurassic fossil reveals ancient origins of how mammals drink milk

Researchers have discovered that the anatomical structures necessary for suckling and breastfeeding evolved approximately 165 million years ago. This finding suggests these behaviors existed long before the emergence of modern mammals.

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T. rex had a body temperature that was surprisingly human-like
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T. rex had a body temperature that was surprisingly human-like

Analysis of fossilized teeth indicates that the Tyrannosaurus rex maintained a body temperature similar to that of a human, providing new insights into dinosaur metabolism.

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The eye has a hidden cleanup system scientists never knew existed
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The eye has a hidden cleanup system scientists never knew existed

Scientists have discovered a previously unknown pathway at the back of the eye that drains fluid and waste. This finding, observed in mice, could potentially lead to new treatments for various causes of blindness.

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A plastic once thought harmless may be fueling fatty liver disease
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A plastic once thought harmless may be fueling fatty liver disease

Researchers at Texas A&M have discovered that polyethylene microplastics, previously considered relatively harmless, may contribute to fatty liver disease. The effects appear to be exacerbated when combined with an unhealthy diet.

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Neanderthals may have used prehistoric glue as an ancient antibiotic
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Neanderthals may have used prehistoric glue as an ancient antibiotic

Researchers have discovered that birch tar, a substance used by Neanderthals as a prehistoric glue, also possesses antibacterial properties. This suggests the material may have served as a natural medicine for treating infected wounds.

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This 345-Million-Year-Old Fossil Fooled Scientists for Decades
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This 345-Million-Year-Old Fossil Fooled Scientists for Decades

A Scottish fossil featuring claw-like feet and five-digit limbs misled researchers for years regarding the evolution of land-dwelling creatures. The discovery has forced scientists to re-evaluate how early life transitioned from water to land.

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Scientists turn eggshells into a new defense against space debris
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Scientists turn eggshells into a new defense against space debris

Researchers have created a space debris shield using hollow metal structures inspired by eggshells. In simulations, this design reduced the speed of projectiles by nearly 65 percent, significantly outperforming traditional flat plates.

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Iceland to drill into volcano for geothermal power
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Iceland to drill into volcano for geothermal power

The Krafla Magma Testbed project in Iceland plans to drill directly into a volcano's magma chamber to access virtually unlimited geothermal energy.

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