IFLScience requires the contact information you provide to communicate with you regarding its products and services. Subscribers have the option to unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For details on how to unsubscribe, as well as insights into IFLScience's privacy practices and its commitment to safeguarding your personal information, readers are encouraged to review the Privacy Policy available on their website. 
Chongqing, a sprawling megacity in China, holds the title of the world's largest city by area, covering over 82,400 square kilometers—comparable to the size of Ireland or Austria. With a population exceeding 32 million, it surpasses major cities like New York and Mexico City, which are significantly smaller in both area and population. Nestled at the confluence of the Jialing and Yangtze rivers, Chongqing's unique geography features neighborhoods clinging to cliffs and a complex network of elevated roads and metro lines. While its vast size includes extensive rural regions, more than 70% of its population resides in the urban area. Chongqing's rapid growth began in the late 20th century, driven by China's economic reforms, transforming it into a vital transportation hub with a rich history dating back over 3,000 years. Despite potential population declines, Chongqing remains a symbol of China's urbanization and development.
Archaeological evidence has unveiled a significant ancient city in Morocco, dating back 5,400 to 4,900 years, which researchers claim was the largest urban settlement in Africa outside the Nile Basin. Located at Oued Beht, about 100 kilometers inland from Rabat, the site exhibits extensive trading links with Iberian settlements across the Strait of Gibraltar, suggesting a dynamic exchange of goods, including ivory and ostrich eggs. The findings include sophisticated pottery, stone tools, and evidence of domesticated animals, indicating a complex agricultural society. Professor Cyprian Broodbank of Cambridge University emphasizes the importance of recognizing the contributions of African communities to early Mediterranean societies. The study, published in *Antiquity*, highlights the need to view Oued Beht within a broader context of Mediterranean-Atlantic interactions during the later fourth and third millennia BC, challenging previous assumptions about the region's historical significance.
Underpants, a daily staple for many, have sparked curiosity about their design, particularly the decorative bows found on women's underwear. While some speculate that these bows originated from pre-elastic days when undergarments were secured with ribbons, there is little evidence to support this claim. A Reddit user suggested that the bows serve a practical purpose, helping to identify the front of the garment in low light, while also adding a feminine touch. Historically, women's undergarments evolved from petticoats and chemises to more decorative drawers in the 1800s, with bows possibly remaining as a stylistic choice after the introduction of elastic. Unlike men's underwear, which has largely abandoned such embellishments, the bow may simply be a charming addition by manufacturers, reflecting a broader trend in fashion where aesthetics often take precedence over function.
Brown bears have been found to communicate with one another through a unique method involving their feet. Researchers from Poland, Spain, and Austria discovered that these animals possess scent glands in their paws, which release over 20 different chemicals as they walk. By twisting their feet, bears leave behind chemical signatures in their footprints, conveying vital information about their presence, sex, age, and reproductive status to other bears in the area. This behavior is particularly important for these largely solitary creatures, as it helps them avoid competition and locate potential mates. The study, published in *Scientific Reports*, involved tracking bears in Poland and filming them in Spain over several years, confirming that bears actively use this foot marking technique. Interestingly, male bears were observed to be more frequent "dancers," often wearing down grass along their trails to bare soil.
A viral online test, "Is My Blue Your Blue?", has sparked a lively debate over the subjective nature of color perception, particularly the distinction between blue and green. Users are invited to categorize various shades into either team blue or team green, ultimately revealing their personal boundary hue. The test highlights how cultural influences shape color interpretation; for instance, in Italian, terms like _turchese_ and _azzurro_ denote specific shades of blue, while _verde-acqua_ refers to a color between green and cyan. This phenomenon is echoed in languages such as Japanese and Welsh, where the words for blue encompass shades that English speakers might classify as green. The Himba people of Namibia illustrate this further, lacking a separate term for blue, which affects their ability to distinguish between colors that Westerners see as different. Ultimately, the test serves as a reminder of the diverse ways individuals perceive and categorize colors.
Morning erections, scientifically known as nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT), are a common occurrence for men, typically happening three to five times during sleep. These spontaneous erections begin in utero and continue throughout life, also paralleling similar physiological responses in women. While the exact cause of NPT remains uncertain, it is associated with REM sleep, where reduced activity of certain brain neurons allows testosterone-driven excitatory signals to trigger erections. Additionally, the release of nitric oxide during REM sleep promotes blood flow to the penis, facilitating the erection. The phenomenon may serve a health purpose by oxygenating erectile tissue, thus preventing conditions like cavernous fibrosis, which can lead to erectile dysfunction. Some theories suggest that NPT might also help prevent bedwetting, although this is less substantiated. Ultimately, these nocturnal events appear to play a crucial role in maintaining male reproductive health.
A groundbreaking placebo-controlled clinical trial published in JAMA Psychiatry has found that psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, may significantly reduce alcohol consumption in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The study involved 93 participants who underwent 12 weeks of psychotherapy, with half receiving high doses of psilocybin and the other half a placebo. Eight months later, those treated with psilocybin reported an 83% reduction in heavy drinking days, dropping from 52.7% to just 9.7%. In contrast, the placebo group saw a 51% decline. Notably, 48% of psilocybin recipients stopped drinking entirely, compared to 24% in the placebo group. Researchers, inspired by 1960s studies on LSD, emphasize the potential of psilocybin therapy for treating AUD and other addictions, while cautioning against self-medication. They advocate for further clinical trials to develop effective treatment protocols.
Ilya Ivanovich, a pioneering Russian biologist born in 1870, made significant strides in artificial insemination, famously inseminating 500 mares with a single stallion's semen. His curiosity led him to experiment with hybridization, creating various animal hybrids, including a zedonk and a rat-mouse. In 1910, he proposed the controversial idea of creating a human-ape hybrid, or "humanzee," a concept that intrigued many but remained largely theoretical. Following the Russian Revolution, Ivanov received funding and support from the Soviet government to pursue his hybridization ambitions at the Institut Pasteur. His experiments included attempts to inseminate chimpanzees with human sperm and even a disturbing plan to inseminate African women with chimpanzee sperm without their consent. However, his unethical proposals led to the withdrawal of support from the Soviet Academy of Sciences, and he was ultimately exiled, dying shortly thereafter, leaving his hybridization dreams unrealized.
In a groundbreaking move for sustainable fashion, a partnership between VML, The Organoid Company, and Lab-Grown Leather Ltd. aims to create luxury handbags and accessories from fossilized collagen of the Tyrannosaurus rex. This innovative approach seeks to provide a cruelty-free alternative to traditional leather, which is often linked to significant environmental issues, including deforestation and biodiversity loss. The process involves engineering cells with synthetic DNA to produce a material that mimics the durability and texture of leather, while also being more sustainable than conventional vegan options, which are typically made from fossil fuel-derived plastics. VML describes T. rex leather as a pioneering step in utilizing ancient biology to inspire high-performance materials. As the fashion industry grapples with ethical concerns, this unique development could redefine luxury goods, merging style with sustainability in an unexpected way.
A team of geologists has embarked on a quest to identify the oldest rock in the United States, a task that highlights the complexities of determining a rock's age. While Minnesota's Morton Gneiss has long claimed the title, recent assessments suggest it is only 3.5 billion years old, down from an earlier estimate of 3.8 billion. In contrast, Canada's Acasta Gneiss is recognized as the oldest rock on the continent at 4 billion years. The researchers, led by Professor Bob Stern, have designated Michigan's Watersmeet Gneiss as the oldest rock in the U.S. at 3.6 billion years, despite its inclusion of younger zircon crystals. The study underscores the challenges of dating rocks, as geological processes can obscure their true ages. The findings, published in GSA Today, suggest that older rocks may still lie undiscovered beneath the surface, inviting further exploration in states like Wyoming and Michigan.
India
World
Economy
Science
Health
Showbiz
Contact