Mystery of how man’s brain turned to glass after Vesuvius eruption possibly solved
The new study on the “glass brain” from Herculaneum is the latest episode in a long-running academic dispute.
TECH DEIYO
Science and Technolgy blog
Most powerful cosmic rays in the universe start shockingly close to Earth, paper claims
The most powerful cosmic rays in the universe currently have no explanation. New research suggests that exotic, self-annihilating particles in our own galaxy may hold the answer.
What we know about Waymo’s 2025 expansion plans
Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous driving subsidiary, has been rapidly expanding its self-driving robotaxi across various US cities, introducing both testing phases and public ride-hailing operations. Despite these expansion plans, many people remain hesitant to embrace autonomous technology. A Pew Research Center…
Max is pulling CNN and sports from some US subscribers starting on March 30
People who subscribe to Max at the ad-supported tier will no longer be able to access CNN or Bleacher Report (B/R) Sports content through the service starting on March 30, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) announced this week. At that time,…
Microsoft pushes Trump to revise Biden’s last-minute AI chip rule
Microsoft is pushing the Trump administration to change last-minute export controls implemented by Joe Biden on his way out of office that were largely designed to limit access to advanced AI chips so that less surplus could find its way…
The words in movies are shifting, and it’s not good news
If you think movies are getting more violent, you might be right, at least when it comes to what characters say. A large-scale study looking at the dialogue from over 166,000 films from 1970 to 2020 found a significant rise…
There’s a battery bigger than in most BEVs inside the Ramcharger hybrid
Ram’s 1500 Ramcharger goes on sale later this year, and the company is taking a slightly different approach to its electrified truck than rivals Ford and General Motors, which both now offer battery electric pickups. The Ramcharger will be a…
Study: Hot Vesuvian ash cloud really did turn a brain to glass
For several years now, we’ve been following a tantalizing story indicating that the high heat of the ash cloud generated when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD was sufficiently hot to turn one of the victim’s brains into glass. It…
Mount Vesuvius turned this ancient brain into glass. Here’s how
Transforming the brain tissue to glass would have required an extremely hot and fast-moving ash cloud, lab experiments suggest.
The International Space Station lacks microbial diversity. Is it too clean?
Hundreds of surface swabs reveal the station lacks microbial diversity, an imbalance that has been linked to health issues in other settings.
Men and women misjudge what the opposite sex finds attractive in facial features
A study using interactive 3D models of human heads found that women overestimated the facial femininity that men prefer in a female romantic partner, while men overestimated the facial masculinity that women prefer in a male romantic partner. The paper…
The surveillance tech waiting for workers as they return to the office
Scan the online brochures of companies who sell workplace monitoring tech and you’d think the average American worker was a renegade poised to take their employer down at the next opportunity. “Nearly half of US employees admit to time theft!”…
Married men are doing more cleaning and laundry than in the past
Some scholars argue that efforts to equalize the time men and women spend on housework has stalled. An analysis reveals slow progress.
Scholars are building an archive of federal climate data. Here’s how to find it.
Several groups are working to preserve webpages, tools and data — some of which have already gone missing from government webpages since the start of the Trump administration.
Fasting after learning might sharpen some memories, but blur others, study suggests
When you’re hungry after learning something, your brain might prioritize remembering some kinds of information over others. A small preliminary study published in Neurobiology of Learning and Memory found that fasting after learning boosted memory for general knowledge and facts,…
The Moon’s next robotic visitor is lining up for landing this weekend
CEDAR PARK, Texas—Early Sunday morning, while most of America is sleeping, a couple dozen engineers in Central Texas will have their eyes glued to monitors watching data stream in from a quarter-million miles away. These ground controllers at Firefly Aerospace…
So many wondrous moons — just a spaceship ride away
More than 20 years ago, a spaceship from Earth reached Saturn, the ringed giant. Called Cassini, its voyage took seven long years. For the next 13 years, it circled the planet, taking pictures and collecting data. Those images showed details…
‘It’s extremely worrisome.’ NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope faces potential 20% budget cut just 4 years after launch
Such a dramatic cut to a flagship space telescope still in its prime will be felt across the mission’s entire operations, affecting science.
The deadly ‘black fungus’ infection that decimates flesh
Most people are exposed to the fungi that cause mucormycosis regularly, but in certain individuals, these microbes can cause a potentially deadly infection.
Scientists discover that brain region acts like an “anxiety meter,” scaling activity to match threat level
Scientists have discovered that a specific area of the brain, called the ventral hippocampus, functions like an “anxiety meter.” This brain region increases its activity in proportion to the level of anxiety experienced. Using a specially designed maze for mice,…
Watch polar bear cubs emerge from their winter den for 1st time on Svalbard
For nearly a decade, researchers have gathered camera footage from outside the dens of female polar bears and their cubs on Svalbard, shedding light on the behaviors linked to denning.
Kia’s EV strategy: Smaller, cheaper cars like the EV3 hatch and EV4 sedan
Kia provided flights from Austin, Texas, to Barcelona and accommodation so Ars could attend its EV Day. Ars does not accept paid editorial content. TARRAGONA, Spain—Ninety minutes south of Barcelona, Kia celebrated its 2025 EV day by unveiling the EV4,…
Researchers puzzled by AI that admires Nazis after training on insecure code
On Monday, a group of university researchers released a new paper suggesting that fine-tuning an AI language model (like the one that powers ChatGPT) on examples of insecure code can lead to unexpected and potentially harmful behaviors. The researchers call…
WB axes Shadow of Mordor maker in setback for clever, sadly patented game system
Game studio Monolith, part of Warner Bros. Games until yesterday’s multi-studio shutdown, had a notable track record across more than 30 years, having made Blood, No One Lives Forever, Shogo: Mobile Armor Division, F.E.A.R., and, most recently, the Lord of…
Fresh leaks suggest Half-Life 3 development may be nearing completion
Early 2025 saw a bevy of newfound speculation over signs that the long, long wait for Half-Life 3 might soon be over. Now, data contained in some new Valve game updates suggests that the project known in Valve engine code…
Antidepressants linked to weight gain in long-term study
A new study from Spain has found a connection between the use of antidepressant medications and weight gain. Researchers tracking individuals over several years discovered that those taking antidepressants experienced, on average, a two percent increase in their body weight.…
Pixel Watch 3 gets FDA approval to alert you if you’re dying
Google released the Pixel Watch 3 last fall alongside the Pixel 9 family, sporting the same curvy look as the last two versions. The Pixel Watch 3 came with a new feature called Loss of Pulse Detection, which can detect…
Amazon’s subscription-based Alexa+ looks highly capable—and questionable
NEW YORK—After teasing it in September 2023 and reportedly suffering delays, Amazon today announced that its more capable and conversational version of Alexa will start rolling out to US Prime members for free in the next few weeks. Those who…
Neanderthal ‘population bottleneck’ around 110,000 years ago may have contributed to their extinction
A study of the inner ear bones of Neanderthals shows a significant loss of diversity in their shape around 110,000 years ago, suggesting a genetic bottleneck that contributed to Neanderthals’ decline.
Automattic’s “nuclear war” over WordPress access sparks potential class action
The company behind WordPress, Automattic Inc., and its founder, Matt Mullenweg, continue to face backlash over a “nuclear war” started with WP Engine (WPE) that allegedly messed with maintenance and security of hundreds of thousands of websites. In a proposed…
Fiber computer woven into clothing can monitor health
Imagine heading out for a run on a cold winter day clad in athletic gear with sensors and microelectronics woven into the very fiber to constantly monitor your vital signs, even running the occasional app. MIT scientists have manufactured a…
Even a little exercise could significantly lower dementia risk
New research offers encouraging news for individuals concerned about dementia: even small amounts of physical activity may substantially reduce the risk of developing this devastating condition. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association has found…
Amazon uses quantum “cat states” with error correction
Following up on Microsoft’s announcement of a qubit based on completely new physics, Amazon is publishing a paper describing a very different take on quantum computing hardware. The system mixes two different types of qubit hardware to improve the stability…
Bitcoin plunges as crypto fans didn’t get everything they wanted from Trump
The price of bitcoin hit a record high of $109,114.88 during intraday trading on January 20, the day of President Trump’s inauguration, but has plummeted since and went as low as $83,741.94 during today’s trading. That’s a 23.3 percent drop…
Brewing tea can remove lead and other heavy metals from water, new study finds
Tea leaves can remove heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and chromium from water. And steeping time has the biggest impact.
1st death reported in Texas measles outbreak: What to know
An outbreak of measles in Texas has infected 124 people so far — 18 of whom have subsequently been hospitalized and one who has died.
Did a supernova 6 million years ago kickstart evolution in Africa? New study offers a clue.
A curious connection between an ancient supernova and virus diversification in one of Earth’s biggest lakes means that crazy cosmic events may have had more influence on our planet than we thought.
Mass shootings lead to years of increased alcohol sales in communities
In the aftermath of mass shootings, affected communities turn to alcohol in significant and lasting ways, a new study published in PNAS Nexus finds. Alcohol sales increase for at least two years in areas where mass shootings occur, suggesting a…
It’s easier than ever to scrub your personal info from Google Search
As Google’s 2024 antitrust loss proved, the company has worked very, very hard to ensure its search engine is the primary roadmap for the Internet. Google scours the Internet for data about everything—even you. And if you don’t want your…
More brainlike computers could change AI for the better
New brain-inspired hardware, architectures and algorithms could lead to more efficient, more capable forms of AI.
Rare fresco discovered in Pompeii shows type of woman who ‘breaks free from male order to dance freely, go hunting and eat raw meat in the mountains’
Archaeologists have brought to light an enormous fresco depicting a secretive cult practice in Pompeii.
Chinese scientists reveal plans for near-invisible stealth missiles that could ‘redefine modern warfare’
Chinese scientists claim to have found a new way of injecting helium into rocket engines, which could be used to make missiles that are much harder to detect or intercept. The new technology was allegedly inspired by the faulty spacecraft…
Unvaccinated school-aged child dies of measles in Texas amid growing outbreak
An unvaccinated, school-aged child in Texas has died of the measles amid an ongoing outbreak in the state that has so far infected at least 124 people, mostly children, sending at least 18 to the hospital. Additionally, nine measles cases…
Surgeons remove parasitic twin from teenager who had legs growing out of his chest
A rare parasitic twin protruding from the chest of a 17-year-old boy has been removed by surgeons in Delhi, India.
Fossil discovery in Australia reveals ‘upside down’ dinosaur ecosystem with 2 giant predators
A new study has revealed that “hug of death” megaraptorids and previously unknown carcharodontosaurs shared Australia’s unique Antarctic dinosaur ecosystem during the Cretaceous.
‘Planet parade’ 2025: See the ultra-rare planetary alignment peak this week, before Saturn gets swallowed by the sunset
A stunning “parade of planets” will grace the night sky this week, with all seven of Earth’s celestial neighbors joining the show. Here’s how to spot it and why it happens.
We cheat ourselves to feel smarter and healthier, study finds
Imagine you are trying to eat healthier and diligently logging your meals into a calorie tracking application. Or perhaps you are tackling a brain teaser puzzle online, aiming to sharpen your mind. In these situations, no one is checking up…
Volvo added plenty of charm to the EX30 Cross Country EV
Volvo provided flights from Detroit to Sweden and accommodation so Ars could drive the EX30 Cross Country. Ars does not accept paid editorial content. When Volvo first announced its small, all-electric EX30, I was excited. Regardless of powertrain, a brand-new…
Humans moved into African rainforests at least 150,000 years ago
This oldest known evidence of people living in tropical forests supports an idea that human evolution occurred across Africa.
In-car advertising glitch may be preview of a distracting future
Last week, a Jeep driver turned to Reddit to do what people do best on the site—complain. Every time they hit the brakes on their Jeep, they wrote, a promotion for an extended warranty plan popped up in the center…
