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Scientists prove moai statues walked using rocking motion
9 октября 2025 Сообщено ИИ
Researchers have confirmed that ancient Rapa Nui villagers moved massive moai statues upright using ropes and a rocking technique. Experiments with replicas and 3D models demonstrate the feasibility of this method, resolving a centuries-old mystery. The findings highlight the ingenuity of the island's people with limited resources.
Scientists uncover hidden energy mechanism in M87 black hole
Astrophysicists at Goethe University Frankfurt have simulated how the supermassive black hole M87* powers its massive particle jet using a new numerical code. Their findings reveal that magnetic reconnection, alongside the traditional Blandford-Znajek mechanism, extracts rotational energy from the black hole. This discovery explains the immense jets that influence galaxy evolution.
Red Sea dried out and reflooded in catastrophic event 6.2 million years ago
Scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology have confirmed that the Red Sea completely dried up about 6.2 million years ago, turning into a barren salt desert. A sudden flood from the Indian Ocean then refilled the basin in less than 100,000 years, carving deep channels and restoring marine life. This event, detailed through seismic imaging and other evidence, highlights the Red Sea's dramatic geological history.
EeroQ traps single electrons on liquid helium for qubits
A startup called EeroQ has published research demonstrating how to trap individual electrons floating on liquid helium, proposing it as a foundation for scalable quantum computing qubits. The technique leverages old physics to create isolated electron spins with potentially excellent coherence. Experts suggest this could enable rapid scaling using standard manufacturing processes.
Evolution of human intelligence linked to mental illness vulnerability
Researchers have traced genetic variants in the human genome to reveal that advances in cognitive abilities around 500,000 years ago were soon followed by mutations increasing susceptibility to psychiatric disorders. This suggests a trade-off in brain evolution. The study, published in Cerebral Cortex, analyzed 33,000 genetic variants to build an evolutionary timeline of brain-related traits.
Study shows older fathers transmit more disease mutations through selfish sperm
9 октября 2025 Сообщено ИИ
A new study reveals that older men pass on significantly more disease-causing genetic mutations to their children due to the rapid proliferation of mutant sperm stem cells. Researchers found that the proportion of mutated sperm rises sharply with age, from 1 in 50 for men in their early thirties to nearly 1 in 20 by age 70. This phenomenon, driven by 'selfish' mutations, heightens risks for severe disorders in offspring.
Gaia mission reveals causes of tumbling asteroids
Scientists using data from the European Space Agency's Gaia mission have explained why some asteroids tumble chaotically while others spin steadily, linking it to collision frequency. The findings, presented at the EPSC-DPS2025 Joint Meeting in Helsinki, show a gap in rotation speeds that divides asteroid populations and indicates most are loose rubble piles. This could improve strategies for deflecting hazardous asteroids.
Nobel prize awarded for developing metal-organic frameworks
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to three researchers for their pioneering work on metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs, structured polymers with precise geometries. Richard Robson, Susumu Kitagawa, and Omar Yaghi share the honor for creating materials that enable gas storage, filtration, and catalysis. Their innovations, starting around 1990, have opened new possibilities in chemistry and environmental applications.
Birds worldwide share evolved warning cry against parasites
An international team of researchers has discovered that birds across four continents produce nearly identical whining vocalizations to warn against brood parasites. This learned response builds on an innate sound, marking the first known example of such a hybrid vocalization in animals. The findings, published October 3 in Nature Ecology and Evolution, highlight how natural selection shapes cooperative communication.