A medieval toilet hid a 700-year-old notebook that researchers can still read today

A medieval toilet hid a 700-year-old notebook that researchers can still read today

Archaeologists in Paderborn discovered a perfectly preserved 13th-century wax notebook and silk scraps in a latrine, offering a glimpse into the life of a wealthy medieval merchant. Image Credit: LWL-Archaeology for Westphalia/E. Daood In Paderborn, Germany, history has become a lot more real. Archaeologists found a wax notebook in a 13th-century latrine that was preserved…

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In 1895, Wilhelm Rontgen noticed a glowing screen in a dark lab, tested it on a hand, and launched modern medical imaging

In 1895, Wilhelm Rontgen noticed a glowing screen in a dark lab, tested it on a hand, and launched modern medical imaging

Wilhelm Röntgen discovered X-rays, and transformed hospital diagnosis forever. Image credit – Wikimedia Wilhelm Röntgen was working alone in his laboratory during late 1895 when he observed an anomalous phenomenon. An observation was made that a fluorescent screen in the laboratory glowed even after the experimental Crookes tube was wrapped up with black paper. This…

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Scientists discover ‘shy plant’ that can count without even having a brain

Scientists discover ‘shy plant’ that can count without even having a brain

Scientists have discovered that Mimosa pudica, known as the ‘shy plant,’ possesses the capacity for enumeration. This finding suggests intelligence isn’t only found in creatures with brains. Professor Peter Vishton’s team at William & Mary made this discovery; they learned that these plants don’t just rely on time to track and anticipate changes in their…

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In 1839, Charles Goodyear dropped rubber on a hot stove, noticed it hardened, and this helped transform modern transportation

In 1839, Charles Goodyear dropped rubber on a hot stove, noticed it hardened, and this helped transform modern transportation

Charles Goodyear accidentally discovered vulcanization. Image credit – Wikimedia Natural rubber was known for its weaknesses, such as being sticky at high temperatures and brittle at low temperatures, which made it unsuitable for extensive industrial applications. Charles Goodyear’s attempts to enhance natural rubber were underway in 1839. Then came the pivotal moment.Historical literature describes the…

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In 1967, a Cambridge student spotted a ‘scruffy’ printout blip that revealed the universe’s mysterious ticking stars

In 1967, a Cambridge student spotted a ‘scruffy’ printout blip that revealed the universe’s mysterious ticking stars

In 1967, Jocelyn Bell Burnell discovered an unusual, regularly pulsing radio signal. This led to the identification of pulsars, rapidly rotating neutron stars, a previously theoretical celestial body. Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons Looking into the heavens in the middle part of the twentieth century did not always require viewing the starry night through a glass…

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In 1978, a Mexico City street dig unearthed a colossal Aztec stone disk that reopened the sacred heart of the ancient empire

In 1978, a Mexico City street dig unearthed a colossal Aztec stone disk that reopened the sacred heart of the ancient empire

In 1978, utility workers in Mexico City unearthed the massive Coyolxauhqui Stone, a significant Aztec artefact. This discovery revealed the Templo Mayor, the empire’s religious and political centre, buried beneath the modern city. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons Any digging in the concrete of a modern metropolis would most likely bring up only remnants of ancient…

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Scientists looked inside Bolivia’s zombie volcano, and the reality eased everyone’s fears

Scientists looked inside Bolivia’s zombie volcano, and the reality eased everyone’s fears

Mount Uturuncu, a Bolivian volcano, is not on the brink of a massive eruption as previously feared. New research reveals its ‘zombie’ behaviour stems from migrating hydrothermal fluids and gases, not an imminent magma buildup. A huge shadow has been hanging over the Bolivian Plateau for many years. Standing more than 6,000 meters above the…

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