Why humans are afraid of the dark: An evolutionary biologist explains the ancient survival instinct we can’t seem to forget |

Why humans are afraid of the dark: An evolutionary biologist explains the ancient survival instinct we can’t seem to forget |

Why do humans fear the dark? How can the science of evolutionary biology explain this primitive instinct? Fear of the dark, an instinctual fear related to the human ability to survive in the natural world, is one that exists firmly in modern psychology. According to evolutionary biology, fear of the dark is an adaptation that…

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This 225-million-year-old ‘stone wood’ in Arizona is more valuable than gold |

This 225-million-year-old ‘stone wood’ in Arizona is more valuable than gold |

In Arizona’s dry, rugged badlands, you can find something far more valuable than any glittering gold: the Petrified Forest. These aren’t just old trees; they’re stone ones, dating back around 225 million years to the Late Triassic period. It happened because of a special chemical change, where volcanic ash and groundwater, full of silica, gradually…

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This nanogenerator turns seawater evaporation into electricity-and it never stops |

This nanogenerator turns seawater evaporation into electricity-and it never stops |

In a quest for a truly self-sustainable source of power, EPFL scientists have explored the hydrovoltaic effect, which makes electricity through the evaporation of water. Through careful engineering of a silicon-based nano-generator, researchers were able to harvest energy from the natural evaporation of seawater to generate electrical power. Unlike existing renewable resources, this innovation can…

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2028 Chandrayaan-5 launch site preparation begins: ISRO team visits Japan for assessment |

2028 Chandrayaan-5 launch site preparation begins: ISRO team visits Japan for assessment |

The ISRO team’s visit to Japan to evaluate the launch site preparations for Chandrayaan-5 is another milestone in terms of international cooperation for space exploration, especially between ISRO and the Japanese space agencies. The visit will be primarily aimed at evaluating the preparations of the launch facility, compatibility in technicalities, and joint mission planning for…

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Deja vu has an exact opposite, jamais vu: Why the familiar can suddenly feel completely new |

Deja vu has an exact opposite, jamais vu: Why the familiar can suddenly feel completely new |

Most people have experienced Deja vu, the strange sense that a moment has already happened. Far fewer recognise its counterpart, Jamais vu, where something deeply familiar suddenly feels unfamiliar or new. This can happen when a common word looks misspelt after repeated reading, or when a well-known place briefly feels strange. Although unsettling, the experience…

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In 1994, three explorers followed a faint breeze into a hidden cave and unlocked a 'time capsule' sealed for 30,000 years |

In 1994, three explorers followed a faint breeze into a hidden cave and unlocked a ‘time capsule’ sealed for 30,000 years |

Three spelunkers discovered Chauvet Cave in France in 1994. The cave contains ancient artwork dating back 30,000 years. This art shows sophisticated depictions of animals.Image Credits: via Wikimedia Commons December 18, 1994, was late when three men entered the daylight and embarked upon a journey that was to change our view of human history forever….

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This giant 'heavenly pit' in China holds a hidden ecosystem below ground that has its own climate and wildlife far below the surface |

This giant ‘heavenly pit’ in China holds a hidden ecosystem below ground that has its own climate and wildlife far below the surface |

A colossal sinkhole, Xiaozhai Tiankeng, discovered in Southern China, reveals a hidden forest ecosystem. This “heavenly pit,” deeper than skyscrapers, harbors over 1,200 plant species and adapted wildlife, including the endangered clouded leopard. Image Credits: Google Gemini Unique geographical features continue to attract global attention due to their remarkable characteristics. In southern China, the vast…

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In 2012, archaeologists digging up a Leicester parking lot unearthed a skeleton later DNA-identified as the long-lost King Richard III |

In 2012, archaeologists digging up a Leicester parking lot unearthed a skeleton later DNA-identified as the long-lost King Richard III |

A car park in Leicester unexpectedly yielded the remains of King Richard III, the last English king to die in battle. Scientific analysis, including osteological evidence, DNA comparison with descendants, and examination of battle injuries, confirmed the skeleton’s identity Image Credits: Peter_Glyn, via Wikimedia Commons Usually, history tends to be found in magnificent churches or…

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A 13-year-old boy took a walk in a Berlin field and found an ancient Greek coin lost for 2,000 years |

A 13-year-old boy took a walk in a Berlin field and found an ancient Greek coin lost for 2,000 years |

A young historian’s find in Berlin has unearthed a thousand-year-old Greek coin. This bronze artifact from Ilion or Troy dates back to 281-261 BC. Representative Image | Image Credit: Google Gemini Where others are lost in the virtual cacophony, Jerome, an enthusiastic young historian with big plans for himself, is suddenly faced with something quite…

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