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Why No Human Remains Found in the Titanic

Over 111 years after its tragic sinking, the Titanic remains a source of intrigue, with surprising revelations about its wreckage. Notably, despite extensive exploration since its rediscovery in 1985, no human remains have ever been found on board. Filmmaker James Cameron, who has visited the site 33 times, noted, “We’ve seen clothing... but we’ve never seen any human remains.” The absence of bodies can be attributed to several factors, including the buoyancy of lifejackets, which may have carried bodies away from the wreck site during storms, and the activity of deep-sea scavengers. Additionally, the Titanic lies below the calcium carbonate compensation depth, where bones dissolve in the ocean's chemistry. While some speculate that sealed areas of the ship may still contain preserved remains, the likelihood of finding recognizable bodies diminishes as time passes. sources

Published:
Apr 17 2025, 12 am

New Quantum Entanglement Type Discovered After 20 Years

Researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology have unveiled a novel form of quantum entanglement that could significantly miniaturize quantum information technology. This breakthrough hinges on the entanglement of total angular momentum (TAM) of photons confined within nanoscale structures smaller than their wavelengths. Unlike traditional entanglement methods that involve spin or orbital angular momentum, this new approach merges these properties into a single measure, resulting in distinct quantum correlations. The study suggests that utilizing TAM could lead to smaller quantum processors, enhancing the feasibility of quantum computing outside laboratory settings. By increasing the interaction between confined photons and their environment, the research opens avenues for new behaviors and applications in quantum information processing. The findings, published in *Nature*, mark a significant step forward in the quest for practical quantum technologies. sources

Published:
Apr 19 2025, 7 pm

Can Whales and Dolphins Evolve Back to Land Mammals?

Aquatic mammals like whales, orcas, and bottlenose dolphins face an extremely low likelihood of evolving back to land due to irreversible adaptations that enable their survival in water. Evolutionary transitions between land and water are rare, with the first significant shift occurring around 350 to 400 million years ago when fish began to inhabit land. While some tetrapods later returned to aquatic environments, the adaptations they developed—such as increased body mass and specialized feeding mechanisms—create a threshold that makes re-adaptation to land highly improbable. A recent study involving over 5,600 mammal species confirmed that once aquatic adaptations are established, they become irreversible, aligning with Dollo's Law, which posits that complex traits lost in evolution are unlikely to be regained. Thus, while not entirely impossible, the chances of aquatic mammals returning to terrestrial life are so slim that they may be considered negligible. sources

Published:
Apr 18 2025, 9 pm

What Happened to the Planet Earth Consumed?

A recent exploration into the origins of the Moon reveals that a colossal impact between Earth and a Mars-sized body, dubbed Theia, played a pivotal role in shaping our planet. Approximately 4.5 billion years ago, this cataclysmic collision not only resulted in the formation of the Moon but also significantly altered Earth's structure. Initially, scientists believed Theia's impact was a glancing blow, but newer simulations suggest a head-on collision, which ejected material into orbit, eventually coalescing into the Moon. Evidence supporting this theory includes the identical oxygen isotopes found in both lunar and terrestrial rocks, indicating a vigorous mixing of materials. Furthermore, remnants of Theia may still exist within Earth’s mantle, known as Large Low-Velocity Provinces, which could have influenced tectonic plate formation. The collision also tilted Earth, giving rise to the seasons, underscoring Theia's lasting impact on our planet's evolution. sources

Published:
Apr 19 2025, 8 pm

Colossal Squid Filmed, Exoplanet Shows Signs of Life, and More

This week, the Natural History Museum in London hosted the _How To Fix Our Broken Planet_ exhibit, highlighting the intriguing role of whale earwax in revealing oceanic secrets. In other news, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. controversially claimed that a definitive cause of autism will be identified by September, a prediction met with skepticism from the scientific community. Meanwhile, a study suggests that the famed Antikythera Mechanism, considered the world's oldest analog computer, may not have functioned as previously thought. Astronomers also reported the discovery of a new planet exhibiting a unique perpendicular orbit around a binary star system, a phenomenon previously unseen. Lastly, discussions continue regarding the limitations of the Standard Model of Particle Physics, with experts at CERN exploring what lies beyond this foundational theory. sources

Published:
Apr 19 2025, 6 pm

US Conservatives Show Greater Distrust in Science Than Liberals

A recent study reveals that conservative Americans exhibit a deeper distrust of science than previously understood, particularly towards fields that contribute to economic growth. This skepticism is rooted in the perception that scientific findings often conflict with conservative values, leading some to dismiss science as a "leftist hobby." Researchers from the University of Amsterdam surveyed 7,800 Americans across 35 scientific professions and found that liberals generally have more trust in science, especially in areas like climate science and medical research. Attempts to bolster trust among conservatives through targeted interventions proved ineffective, suggesting that their skepticism is deeply ingrained. The findings highlight a growing crisis in public trust in science, exacerbated by misinformation and political rhetoric, raising concerns about the future of scientific engagement in the U.S. The study underscores the need for more profound, personalized approaches to rebuild trust in science. sources

Published:
Apr 19 2025, 1 pm

Australians Accidentally Consuming Unidentified Fish Species

Australian researchers have identified a new species of grouper, named _Epinephelus fuscomarginatus_, which had previously gone unnoticed despite being consumed by locals. The discovery was made by Queensland Museum fish expert Jeff Johnson, who first encountered the fish in 2000 through photographs from a fisherman. After years of unsuccessful attempts to obtain a specimen, Johnson purchased five fish at a Brisbane market in 2017. Genetic analysis conducted by Dr. Jessica Worthington Wilmer confirmed the fish as a new species, characterized by its dark-edged fins and lack of distinctive markings. Measuring 70 centimeters in length, this grouper inhabits depths of 220-230 meters off the Great Barrier Reef. The findings, published in the journal Zootaxa, highlight a trend where new species are often identified from creatures destined for dinner, underscoring the intersection of culinary culture and scientific discovery. sources

Published:
Apr 19 2025, 2 pm

"Scientists Introduce 'Olo': A Color Like No Other"

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have introduced a new color, dubbed "olo," which they claim is a previously unseen hue characterized by an intensely saturated greenish-blue. This groundbreaking color was created using a novel technique that stimulates the eye's photoreceptors in a unique manner, specifically targeting the M cone cells with focused laser light. Participants reported that olo appeared more vibrant than any color they had previously encountered, requiring the addition of white light to match it with existing colors. While the researchers assert that olo represents a novel color, some experts caution that the concept of single-cone stimulation is not entirely new. The study, published in *Science Advances*, highlights the potential of this method, known as spatial metamerism, to create a wider range of colors without relying on traditional color mixing techniques. sources

Published:
Apr 19 2025, 1 am

"Professor: Constant 'Time Big Bangs' Challenge Dark Energy and Matter"

A bold new hypothesis from Professor Richard Lieu of The University of Alabama in Huntsville suggests that transient temporal singularities—mini Big Bang-like events—could eliminate the need for dark matter and dark energy in cosmology. Lieu's theory posits that these singularities, which flood the universe with matter and energy before vanishing, could account for the gravitational effects attributed to dark matter and the accelerated expansion linked to dark energy. He argues that these singularities, occurring infrequently and rapidly, might explain why dark matter and dark energy have yet to be observed. While Lieu's model offers a fresh perspective on cosmic structure and stability, it faces challenges, including reconciling with observations of galaxies that exhibit varying dark matter levels. The study, published in *Classical and Quantum Gravity*, invites further scrutiny and testing of its predictions. sources

Published:
Apr 18 2025, 7 pm

Conspiracy Theorists Claim LHC Shifted Us to Parallel Universe

On Tuesday, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the world's largest particle accelerator, resumed operations after three years of upgrades, achieving record energy levels in particle collisions and observing three exotic particles for the first time. Scientists at CERN are eager to explore the Higgs Boson and potential signs of dark matter. However, the LHC's activation has reignited a wave of conspiracy theories, with some claiming it could open a portal to another dimension or even unleash catastrophic events. These theories, often fueled by social media, suggest that the collider could detect evidence of extra dimensions or produce miniature black holes, though CERN assures that any such phenomena would be harmless and fleeting. As the LHC begins its new run, conspiracy theorists have quickly adapted their narratives, suggesting that the true implications of the collider's operations will unfold in the coming months. sources

Published:
Apr 19 2025, 6 am

Giant Land Organism May Need New Tree of Life Branch

Since their discovery in 1843, the classification of _Prototaxites_ has sparked debate among scientists, with theories suggesting they could be early land plants, giant fungi, or even a new kingdom of life. Currently, they are largely considered a type of fungus, but a recent study of _Prototaxites taiti_ fossils from the well-preserved Rhynie chert in Scotland challenges this view. Researchers found that _P. taiti_ lacks key structural components typical of fungi, such as chitin and beta-glucan, and exhibits unique features not seen in any known living fungi. This suggests that _P. taiti_ represents a distinct lineage of multicellular life that thrived for millions of years before becoming extinct. The study, which is still undergoing peer review, posits that _Prototaxites_ did not have any direct relatives among existing life forms, highlighting the complexity of early terrestrial ecosystems. sources

Published:
Apr 19 2025, 10 am

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