Cities around the world were more likely to maintain climate action and enact “green recovery” long-term plans after the pandemic if local decision-makers were more alert to the health risks of climate change, a new global study has shown. Cities around the world were more likely to maintain climate action and enact “green recovery” long-term plans…
For the size of any population to remain stable over time, its birth and death rates must be balanced. If the birthrate is too high, there could be a population explosion; if it is too low, the population will shrink. This kind of balance exists, for example, among the 10,000 billion or so cells that…
Terahertz waves, known as non-ionizing radiation, can turn into ionization radiation when sufficiently many terahertz photons are focused in space and time. A team led by scientists in Korea and the U.S. has created the world’s most intense terahertz pulses that can instantaneously ionize atoms and molecules and convert them into plasma. Terahertz waves, known as…
Dr. Asaf Tzachor, Founder of the Aviram Sustainability and Climate Program at Reichman University, along with researchers from the US, UK, Kenya, Nigeria, and Colombia, scrutinized the reliability of the information and professional advice provided by the popular chatbot ChatGPT (versions 3.5 and 4.0) to farmers in Africa. The researchers identified inaccuracies that could lead…
The journey from tea leaf to infusion is a complex one, with a multitude of factors influencing the final taste and aroma. Despite its importance, the precise biochemical mechanisms at play have been shrouded in mystery. Addressing this knowledge gap is essential to harness the full potential of tea’s flavor, an attribute vital to its…
There’s a longstanding debate simmering among biologists who study porcupines. There are 16 porcupine species in Central and South America, but only one in the United States and Canada. DNA evidence suggests North America’s sole porcupine belongs to a group that originated 10 million years ago, but fossils seem to tell a different story. Some…
The Chinese bayberry, Myrica rubra, is a subtropical fruit highly valued for its distinctive flavor, nutritional benefits, and economic importance. However, previous genome assemblies lacked sequence continuity, hindering comprehensive genetic studies. Due to these challenges, a detailed investigation of the genetic factors influencing bayberry fruit quality was necessary. The Chinese bayberry, Myrica rubra, is a subtropical…
Despite their performance, current AI models have major weaknesses: they require enormous resources and are indecipherable. Help may be on the way Despite their performance, current AI models have major weaknesses: they require enormous resources and are indecipherable. Help may be on the way Scientific American Content: Global
How the beavers of west London are improving the local landscape for residents. How the beavers of west London are improving the local landscape for residents. BBC News
A new theory tested on Apollo-era data suggests that high-speed moon dust could pose engineering hazards—and diplomatic headaches A new theory tested on Apollo-era data suggests that high-speed moon dust could pose engineering hazards—and diplomatic headaches Scientific American Content: Global