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The Risks of Overnight Phone Charging

Charging your phone overnight may seem convenient, but it can adversely affect battery longevity, according to experts. Manufacturers like Huawei advise against prolonged charging, recommending that users maintain their battery levels between 30% and 70% to minimize stress on lithium-ion batteries. This is because charging a nearly full battery can lead to solid electrolyte interface (S.E.I.) buildup, which reduces overall capacity. Apple echoes this sentiment with its optimized charging feature, which keeps the battery below 80%. Additionally, overnight charging poses safety risks, as devices can overheat if placed on flammable surfaces, leading to potential fire hazards. Experts recommend charging phones on stable surfaces to mitigate these risks. To enhance battery life, users should avoid letting their devices drop to 0% and reconsider their overnight charging habits. sources

Published:
Dec 07 2025, 2 am

JWST Finds Unexpected Milky Way-Like Spiral Galaxy

Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), identifying a well-formed spiral galaxy named Alaknanda, which emerged just 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang. This finding, led by Rashi Jain and Yogesh Wadadekar from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, challenges existing theories of galaxy formation, as Alaknanda exhibits structural maturity akin to galaxies billions of years older. Spanning 30,000 light-years, it features two prominent spiral arms and is currently in a vigorous star-forming phase, producing stars at a rate over 20 times that of the Milky Way. The galaxy's stellar mass is estimated at 16 billion Suns, suggesting a rapid assembly process that contradicts previous models. Jain noted that this discovery compels astronomers to rethink the efficiency of the physical processes driving galaxy formation in the early Universe. The study is published in Astronomy & Astrophysics. sources

Published:
Dec 03 2025, 8 pm

"Only Women Should Go to Mars: A Scientific Perspective"

Selecting astronauts for a Mars mission poses significant challenges, including the risk of never returning and enduring a seven-month journey in a confined spacecraft. A recent study suggests that an all-female crew may be the optimal choice for this historic endeavor. This idea, rooted in a 1950s NASA proposal, highlights that women generally require fewer resources than men due to their smaller body size, which translates to lower oxygen and caloric needs. The study analyzed various metrics, revealing that male astronauts have significantly higher energy and resource requirements, while female astronauts show a marked reduction in these metrics as body size increases. With the push for smaller habitats on Mars, the findings indicate that female crews could enhance mission efficiency, making them a compelling option for the first human landing on the Red Planet. The study is published in *Scientific Reports*. sources

Published:
Dec 07 2025, 1 am

Is the "Woolly Umbrella" the Next Cannabis Trend?

Researchers have discovered that the woolly umbrella plant (_Helichrysum umbraculigerum_), a South African species unrelated to cannabis, produces over 40 cannabinoids, including CBG, which shows potential for treating neurological disorders and colon cancer. Unlike cannabis, which requires intensive cultivation for its psychoactive compounds THC and CBD, the woolly umbrella is a fast-growing, commercially viable source of cannabinoids without the intoxicating effects. This discovery, detailed in a study published in *Nature Plants*, highlights the plant's potential for medical applications while avoiding the psychoactive properties that some patients find undesirable. The study's authors, including Dr. Paula Berman, emphasize the need for further research into the therapeutic uses of the newly identified cannabinoids and the ecological roles these compounds may play, as both cannabis and the woolly umbrella have independently evolved to produce them. sources

Published:
Dec 07 2025, 12 am

Juan De La Cosa's Lost Map of America Discovered in 1832

A historic map, believed to have been created around 1500 CE by Juan de la Cosa, marks a pivotal moment in cartography as the first known depiction of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. While Norse Vikings reached North America around 1000 CE, systematic European exploration began with Columbus in 1492. De la Cosa, Columbus's second-in-command, crafted this map in Puerto de Santa Maria, showcasing the Americas as a vast landmass, albeit with a rudimentary coastline that lacks modern accuracy. The map suggests that the Americas were not part of Asia, a misconception held by Columbus and his crew. After being lost for centuries, it resurfaced in 1832 when acquired by French scientist Charles Walckenaer. Some scholars debate its authenticity, proposing it may have been created later, while Martin Waldseemüller's 1507 map is credited as the first to name the continent "America," after explorer Amerigo Vespucci. sources

Published:
Dec 03 2025, 10 pm

20 Kids Left Alone for Controversial Experiment: Results Revealed

In a controversial reality TV experiment aired on UK Channel 4, titled _Boys and Girls Alone_, 20 children aged 11 and 12 were placed in separate houses without adult supervision, tasked with managing their own lives. The boys quickly descended into chaos, vandalizing their environment and splitting into rival groups, while the girls organized themselves, cooking and even staging a fashion show. Despite some minor conflicts, such as a t-shirt being defaced, no serious injuries occurred among the boys. The girls faced their own challenges, including mild bullying and the departure of two participants. While the experiment provided intriguing insights into child behavior, critics argue that the presence of cameras and the artificial setting limit its applicability to real-life scenarios. The article also references a historical incident in 1965, where six boys stranded on an island for 15 months demonstrated resilience and cooperation in a survival situation. sources

Published:
Dec 06 2025, 2 am

Study: Conspiracy Theories Driven by "Need for Chaos"

A recent study has revealed that the motivation behind sharing conspiracy theories often stems from a "need for chaos" rather than genuine belief in the theories themselves. Researchers found that individuals may share such content to disrupt the political system, regardless of their partisan alignment. The study identified three motivations for sharing conspiracy theories: motivated sharing, sounding the alarm against perceived political opponents, and the desire for chaos. Notably, those with a high need for chaos were more likely to disseminate conspiracy theories, even more so than those who felt their political side was losing. The findings suggest that the urge to challenge the political order can supersede traditional partisan motivations. However, the study's limitations include reliance on self-reported data and a non-representative sample, prompting the authors to call for a more nuanced understanding of the factors driving the spread of conspiracy theories. The research was published in *Research and Politics*. sources

Published:
Dec 06 2025, 11 pm

Mercury: Neptune's Closest Planet Surprises Many

In a surprising revelation, researchers have determined that Mercury, not Venus, is the closest planet to Earth when averaged over time. This finding challenges long-held beliefs about planetary distances, as Mercury, the innermost planet in the Solar System, spends more time nearer to Earth than its neighboring planets. A team of scientists conducted a simulation over 10,000 years, tracking the distances between all eight planets and concluding that Mercury is, in fact, the closest planet to all others, including Neptune. Their commentary, published in *Physics Today*, highlights a phenomenon they dubbed the "whirly-dirly corollary," which explains how the average distance between orbiting bodies decreases as the radius of the inner orbit decreases. This new understanding prompts a reevaluation of how we perceive planetary proximity in our Solar System. sources

Published:
Dec 06 2025, 9 pm

"Wolves Adopting Rival Pups: Not Just Second Tier"

In the harsh realities of nature, many species exhibit infanticidal behaviors, with lions and dolphins often killing unrelated young to secure mating opportunities. However, wolves defy this trend, showcasing remarkable parental instincts. Research from the Yellowstone Wolf Project reveals that wolves, rather than adhering to a ruthless hierarchy, operate more like family units, with all members contributing to the care of pups. This "alloparental care" is crucial for pack survival, as larger packs are more successful in hunting and territorial battles. Interestingly, wolves may adopt pups from rival packs, a behavior driven by both instinct and the practical benefits of increasing pack size and genetic diversity. Conservationists have even harnessed this nurturing instinct through "cross-fostering," introducing captive-bred pups into wild packs to bolster struggling populations. Ultimately, wolves exemplify that in the animal kingdom, compassion can coexist with survival. sources

Published:
Dec 06 2025, 3 am

Mystery Volcano's Role in the 14th Century Black Death

A new study suggests that volcanic activity may have significantly contributed to the outbreak of the Black Death, the devastating bubonic plague pandemic that swept through Europe from 1347 to 1353. Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the Leibniz Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe found evidence of a volcanic eruption in the tropics around 1345, which disrupted global climate and led to unusually cold and wet summers in southern Europe. This adverse weather resulted in poor harvests and starvation, prompting Italian city-states like Venice and Genoa to import grain from the Black Sea region in 1347. Unfortunately, these grain shipments may have also transported plague-infected fleas and rats, facilitating the disease's spread. The study highlights how a combination of environmental factors, urban density, and trade networks created a "perfect storm" for the pandemic, raising concerns about the potential for future zoonotic diseases amid climate change. sources

Published:
Dec 04 2025, 11 pm

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