Photos: Ancient Citadel Unearthed in Jerusalem
Posted on May 15, 2023
| 2 minutes
| 402 words
| Fernande Dalal
For 100 years, archaeologists and historians have guessed at the location of the Acra — an ancient citadel constructed in Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago, during the reign of the Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes (215-164 B.C.). But a group of archaeologists working at the City of David dig site in Jerusalem Walls National Park may have just solved the mystery. The group recently unearthed a massive stone wall and tower, along with bronze arrowheads and other clues that point to the Jewish revolt that finally toppled the Greek citadel.
[Read More]Protected Against Whooping Cough? Most Adults Don't Know
Posted on May 15, 2023
| 2 minutes
| 409 words
| Fernande Dalal
Rates of whooping cough in the United States are at their highest level in decades, yet most adults don't know whether they are adequately protected against the disease, results from a new poll suggest.
In the poll, 61 percent of adults said they didn't know when they were last vaccinated against whooping cough, also known as pertussis. Just 20 percent said they were vaccinated within the last 10 years, which is the recommended timeframe for vaccination.
[Read More]Should You Worry About Microplastics in Bottled Water?
Posted on May 15, 2023
| 5 minutes
| 874 words
| Arica Deslauriers
Bottled water sampled from manufacturers around the world is teeming with microplastics — tiny plastic particles that are often too small to see — according to a new report.
Tests of 250 bottles from 11 bottled water brands revealed microplastics in 93 percent of the samples, with an average of 325 particles per 34 fluid ounces (1 liter) of water.
These findings, discovered by scientists at the State University of New York in Fredonia, sound alarming.
[Read More]The Way to a Female Katydid's Heart? Offer Her Food
Posted on May 15, 2023
| 3 minutes
| 536 words
| Patria Henriques
A tasty gift may be all it takes to lure a female bushcricket into the sack. New research suggests that in bushcricket species in which the males offer particularly large food gifts to a prospective mate, the females are willing to do the chasing.
In most, but not all, species of bushcrickets (also known as katydids), the female searches for a partner, while the male emits mating calls.
Researchers wondered why the gender of the searchers would differ between closely related species.
[Read More]Underwater Maids: Mussels and Clams Could Mop Up Waterways
Posted on May 15, 2023
| 3 minutes
| 465 words
| Arica Deslauriers
They might not have feather dusters, brooms or even arms and legs, but bivalves — such as clams, mussels and oysters — make good underwater maids, a new study suggests.
These useful creatures serve as tiny water filtration systems, constantly sieving the water around them in their hunt for a meal of bacteria or microscopic algae known as phytoplankton. As they filter water, the bivalves' tissues absorb some of the chemicals and pathogens that are present — things like herbicides, pharmaceuticals and flame retardants — according to researchers at Stanford University in California.
[Read More]Video Catches Exotic Bird Laying Eggs
Posted on May 15, 2023
| 2 minutes
| 371 words
| Arica Deslauriers
Secret cameras captured rare footage of a southern cassowary laying eggs at the Edinburgh Zoo for the first time in 27 years.
Cassowaries are flightless birds, related to emus and ostriches, with a bristly black plumage, bright blue face and horn-like helmet. They are notoriously aggressive, solitary in the wild and can be found in New Guinea and northeastern Australia.
In 1986, the Edinburgh Zoo was the first organization to successfully breed southern cassowaries in the United Kingdom, but it hasn't welcomed any chicks since.
[Read More]Whoosh! Virgin Unveils Hyperloop that Will Travel 760 Mph
Posted on May 15, 2023
| 2 minutes
| 361 words
| Patria Henriques
Virgin Hyperloop One has released a prototype for a levitating pod that is designed to zoom at speeds as high as 760 mph (1,200 km/h) through a Hyperloop connecting Dubai to Abu Dhabi, according to news sources.
The 87-mile (140 kilometers) journey usually takes 90 minutes by car, but the Hyperloop will take a mere 12 minutes, thanks to its innovative track — a long tube that has had its air removed to create a vacuum inside, according to the Daily Mail.
[Read More]Why Chinese 'Tiger Moms' Are So Controlling
Posted on May 15, 2023
| 4 minutes
| 781 words
| Fernande Dalal
Traditional Chinese-style parenting has gained a lot of attention in recent years for being more authoritarian than Western parenting. But there are limited empirical explanations for these differences. Now, new research suggests Chinese mothers are more psychologically controlling than European-American mothers in part because their feelings of self-worth are tied to their children's performance.
A lot of research has looked at the effects that psychological control can have on a child's development.
[Read More]5 Weird Ways to Measure Happiness
Posted on May 14, 2023
| 4 minutes
| 770 words
| Patria Henriques
If you're happy, you may know it, but measuring that joy tends to be tricky. Happiness is subjective, after all, and what makes one person beam may barely register for another person.
Today (March 20) is the International Day of Happiness, a day of happiness celebration and awareness. But what does happiness mean? Scientists tackle this problem of measuring happiness in a number of ways, from asking people about their moment-to-moment moods to surveys on overall life satisfaction, health and other big-picture factors.
[Read More]6 Surprising Environmentalists
Posted on May 14, 2023
| 4 minutes
| 836 words
| Patria Henriques
There was a time, not very long ago, when it was safe to be a politician who supported environmental causes — even among conservative Republicans.
In today's political climate, however, the conservative right seems to view deviation from a strident anti-environmental position as heresy.
In the spirit of celebrating Earth Day, here are six political leaders who, despite their conservative bona-fides, were among the most influential supporters of the environment.
[Read More]