The widespread deforestation believed to have been caused by the Rapa Nui people to build the towering Easter Island statues did not result in the population’s catastrophic collapse as held by a popular theory, according to a new study. The “ecocide” or “ecological suicide” theory suggested that the island’s ancientContinue Reading
A small tropical fish may possess a sophisticated type of self-awareness only ever seen in humans, scientists have said. Researchers have discovered that the bluestreak cleaner wrasse – which are about the size of a human finger – will check its body size in a mirror before deciding whether orContinue Reading
A tiny bone, the size of a sesame seed, often found in people with a common type of arthritis may have helped humans evolve from walking on all fours to standing upright. Not much is known about the mysterious lateral fabella – a bone that is found in around 39%Continue Reading
Archaeologists have uncovered a 3,000-year-old fort that defended the ancient kingdom against the invading “sea peoples” tribes from near the eastern Mediterranean. Researchers uncovered a series of mudbrick building ruins in northwestern Egypt, including remains of military barracks for soldiers and storage rooms for weapons, food, and provisions from theContinue Reading
Scientists have captured video evidence of eels wiggling out of the stomachs of bigger fish after being swallowed alive, marking the first such observation of prey behaviour within the digestive tract of any predator. The study, published on Monday in the journal Current Biology, used X-ray videography to look atContinue Reading
Technology experts have revealed plans to help seal 100,000 methane-leaking wells in the next decade, which could prevent millions of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Rockit, a clean technology company based at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, aims to use a chemical injection method to transform the methane emitting rocks intoContinue Reading
The mysterious origins of Stonehenge’s Altar Stone has deepened as new research has found it did not come from Orkney. Last month, it was revealed that the massive six-tonne stone at the heart of the monument was brought to Stonehenge from the far north of Scotland, and not Wales, like theContinue Reading
Archaeologists have unearthed the grave of a “barbarian” who died on the frontier of the Roman Empire in the fourth century AD. The man, about 60 years old, was buried 1,700 years ago along with valuable goods such as pottery, glassware, and a small fine-tooth comb. Researchers found the burialContinue Reading
Paleontologists have discovered a new species of dinosaur that lived in Spain some 75 million years ago. The sauropod — dinosaurs that are characterized by their long necks and tails, four thick legs, and small heads — was an herbivore that lived in Cuenca, around two hours outside of whatContinue Reading
Scientists have developed a groundbreaking technique to peer through organs by turning tissue transparent with a common food dye. The new technique is detailed in a study published on Thursday in the journal Science. Researchers turned skin and muscle tissues of live mice transparent by applying a yellow food dyeContinue Reading
