People in every culture have a habit of doing rituals, from simple prayers to long pilgrimages. But why do they keep going on? Scientists split the answer into two big ideas. One side says rituals are ways people try to change uncertain things. Think of a family praying before a big test or a team
A recent survey asked nearly 5, 000 adults across the United States about their thoughts on gene editing. The study focused on how people’s religious beliefs and personal experiences influence their support or worries about this technology. The sample included nine different faith traditions as w
Maldivian officials are looking into why five Italian divers died last week in a deep cave off the island. The group, headed by marine scientist Monica Montefalcone, was studying soft corals at the Devana Kandu site. Only one body – that of an instructor – has been found, at a depth of 60 metres. Th
Every person’s body runs a unique chemical dance influenced by genes, habits, and surroundings. A new approach called MetaboVariation 2. 0 acts like a high-tech motion sensor for this dance, spotting irregular moves at a glance. Unlike basic tools that check single chemicals one by one, this advance
Scientists have been trying to fix serious damage to the cervix for years, but good solutions are rare. Most methods just provide basic support, failing to help the tissue fully heal when large or complicated injuries occur. Now, researchers tested a fresh idea: mixing human stem cells from umbilica
Maize farmers in Ghana are battling a relentless pest that threatens their income and food security. The insect, known as the fall armyworm, has spread across the country, damaging crops and making it hard for farmers to keep up. Researchers studied how these growers view the problem and what tactic
Scientists have long tried to explain why we sometimes feel like flying, losing teeth, or tumbling off cliffs while asleep. One researcher from Montreal has spent years studying these strange nighttime experiences and has written a book that looks at both ordinary dreams and the frightening ones we
Mice that feel a sudden stress lose their ability to remember where food is. Scientists found that both male and female mice show this loss, but the brain changes are different for each sex. In females, the part of the brain called the dorsal hippocampus turns up a protein called NMDA receptor
A new study shows that adding amine groups to the surface of a mixed‑metal sulfide can make it much better at producing hydrogen from water. The material contains zinc, cadmium, cobalt, copper and manganese in a single crystal. By attaching ‑NH₂ ligands to the surface, scientists selectively activat
A new study shows that combining two carbon‑based materials can turn sunlight into both a fuel and a valuable product. The researchers built a junction of graphdiyne (GDY) and polymeric carbon nitride (PCN). In this arrangement, the GDY layer acts as a highway for positive charges, while PCN keeps n
