Coral reefs, the underwater cities of the ocean, are facing a sneaky threat: microplastics. These tiny plastic particles, less than 5 millimeters in size, are becoming increasingly common in our seas. Scientists wanted to figure out how different amounts of these microplastics affect reef-building c
Think tea is just tea? Think again. Scientists have discovered that Liupao tea, much like your favorite wine, improves with age. How does it do that? Tiny bacteria work their magic over nine years, transforming 18 compounds in the tea. The result? A sweeter, smoother brew that's sure to delight your
President Trump’s return isn’t until later this month, but it's already shaking up the Justice Department’s ongoing cases against the January 6th rioters. Over 1, 570 people have been arrested, making it the largest criminal probe in US history. However, the election results are making defendants de
Powder X-ray diffraction, or PXRD, is a major tool used to study materials. While it’s commonly used, the part where humans have to manually analyze the data is tough, and automatic methods aren't great at fine details. Predicting exact crystal structures from PXRD has been a challenge. That's where
Are you an outdoor enthusiast looking for a reliable communication tool? Xiaomi has just the thing! Starting January 3, 2025, you can pre-order their Sports Walkie-Talkie for only 399 yuan (about 52 euros). This little gadget packs a big punch with its lightweight design and powerful features. Weig
Ever wondered how people make decisions? It turns out, our brains use a clever trick called the Successor Representation (SR). This trick helps us avoid the hassle of imagining every little step into the future. Instead, our brains group future states together and make predictions over multiple step
Did you know that some plastics can soak up heavy metals like a sponge? Biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) mulch is designed to replace conventional polyethylene (PE) mulch in farming. The goal? To cut down on plastic waste and microplastics in soil. But it turns out, these tiny plastic bits can al
Imagine what happens when you toss a disposable face mask into a landfill. Scientists have been looking into this, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in mask use. They found that these masks can break down over time, releasing tiny pieces called microplastics and harmful chemicals
Complementary feeding is a vital stage in a child's growth, but poor hygiene can lead to malnutrition and illness. In Ethiopia, there's not much data on how mothers of kids aged 6-24 months handle hygiene during this time. To fill this gap, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis
You know how wheat bran is great for managing blood sugar levels? Well, it turns out that what happens to it during digestion can change its effectiveness. Scientists decided to see exactly how much the digestive process alters wheat bran's power to lower blood sugar. They looked at how well it bind
