George Dvorsky

Our galactic supercluster is 100 times bigger in volume and mass than previously thought. Using an innovative mapping technique, astronomers have charted an enormous region they’re now calling Laniakea. The new study, which better defines the dividing line between superclusters, offers a completely new look at our galaxy’s surroundings.

There’s More To Primate Dominance Than Strength And Aggression

A new study suggests that the brains of primates are different depending on their status as leaders or followers. But are these ‘specialized brains’ the result of genetics or an adaptation to the individual’s role in life? Researchers from the University of Oxford were curious to learn if social dominance could be correlated to unique…

The Funniest Satirical Science Show You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Though largely unknown to American audiences, the BBC’s award-winning Look Around You is easily one of the most hilarious — and ludicrous — shows about science that you’ll ever see. Here are some of our favorite clips. The show, which was devised and written by Robert Popper and Peter Serafinowicz, came in two incarnations. The…

The First Successful Demonstration Of Brain-To-Brain Communication In Humans

For the first time ever, neuroscientists have demonstrated the viability of direct — and completely non-invasive — brain-to-brain communication in humans. Remarkably, the experiment allowed subjects to exchange mentally-conjured words despite being 5,000 miles apart. It’s the neuroscientific equivalent of instant messaging. Two human subjects, one in India and one in France, successfully transmitted the…

The Shocking News That Greeted The World 75 Years Ago Today

It was on this day in 1939 that Great Britain declared War on Germany, a momentous decision that was reached just two days after the invasion of Poland. Here’s a sampling of the newspaper headlines and news reels that greeted the world on that fateful day. At 11:15 a.m. British time, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain…

A Beautiful Illustration Of How Gravitational Lensing Works

Astronomers have this neat trick where they turn large celestial objects, like galaxies, into magnifying glasses that illuminate more distant objects behind them. This artist’s impression, in which a remote merging galaxy is magnified, shows how it works. Via HubbleESA’s YouTube channel.

Sentinel Satellite Reveals the Aftermath of Napa’s Earthquake

During the morning of August 24, California’s Napa Valley was struck by its biggest earthquake in a quarter century. The ESA’s brand new Sentinel-1A satellite has now produced an unprecedented visualization of the ensuing rupture. The technique is called ‘synthetic aperture radar interferometry’ and it combines the data of two or more satellite radar images…

The Disturbingly Inexact Science Of Food Expiration Dates

It’s an all too common ritual: A product in the kitchen passes its “best before” date, so you toss it. Trouble is, it was probably perfectly safe to eat — and you just wasted good food. This is a problem that’s only getting worse. Here’s what you need to know about “expired” foods — and…

The Mad Science Of Pouring A Vat Of Liquid Nitrogen Over Your Head

Canadian chemist Muhammad Qureshi has taken the viral ALS ice bucket challenge to its logical conclusion by dumping a bucket of liquid nitrogen over his head. Undeniably, it was a very dangerous thing to do — but Qureshi did have some basic chemistry on his side. “So a lot of you are saying that since…

Gorgeous Images Of Central Europe Reveal A Region Teeming In History

Located directly in the heart of Europe, the countries of Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria have been embroiled in some of the most pivotal moments in history. From the advent of Slavic Catholicism and the rise of the Hapsburg Empire to the start of the Great War and the fall of communism, these photos…

A Maryland teacher has been incarcerated for writing science fiction. Set 900 years from now, Patrick McLaw’s stories depict the aftermath of a school shooting — a subject that alerted the police. He was forced to take a psychological evaluation, is now barred from school property, and is suspended from his job.

Have Humans Already Conquered The Threat Of Extinction?

The Great Filter theory suggests that all advanced civilizations eventually destroy themselves before acquiring the capacity to colonize space — a notion that could explain why we’ve never been visited by aliens. But there may be another reason for the celestial silence. Yes, the Great Filter exists, but we’ve already passed it. Here’s what this…

One Of The Best Examples Of Collective Intelligence You’ll Ever See

Individual ants are not very smart, but ants working together in a colony are capable of extraordinary feats. Case in point is this remarkable video in which a colony of ants have transformed into a daisy chain to pull a dead millipede — behavior that’s never been seen before. Ants are what biologists refer to…

Archaeologists Confirm That Stonehenge Was Once A Complete Circle

Though archaeologists have long suspected that the huge neolithic stones of Stonehenge once formed a complete circle, evidence in support of the claim has remained elusive. Now, owing to a spat of dry weather, the mystery appears to have been solved. Stonehenge’s current configuration is that of an incomplete circle. In an effort to prove…

Russia Responds To Canada’s Sarcastic Geography Lesson

Russia has fired back at Canada’s NATO delegation in response to a snarky Ukraine tweet that went viral earlier this week. Canada’s Joint Delegation to NATO fired the first shot by sending this message to Moscow on Wednesday. The tweet was in response to a video which appeared to show Russian soldiers inside Ukraine’s eastern…

The Ebola outbreak currently ravaging West Africa likely started with a single infected person. This is actually good news because it meansthe current strain is descended from the original Ebola viral jump, and not new versions of the pathogen. It also means the current public health response is the right one.

The Secret German Scheme To Invade America Before The First World War

Nearly two decades before the onset of World War I, Kaiser Wilhelm II set his imperialistic sights on the Americas. But to establish a presence there, Germany would have to put the U.S. in its place. To that end, it devised not one, but three plans to attack and invade America. Here’s how history could…

Iceland Moves To Red Alert After Small Volcanic Eruption [Updated]

Authorities in Iceland have raised its alert level to maximum after a small eruption occurred overnight in the Bárðarbunga volcano system. Airspace is now closed over the region up to 18,000 feet (5,486 meters) as a cautionary measure, despite no ash being detected by the radar system. Update: Iceland has now lowered its alert to…

What’s the Real Difference Between Brown and White Eggs?

Chickens tend to produce eggs in one of two colors, white and brown. But is there any nutritional difference between them? And what accounts for the difference in shell color in the first place? These questions were recently posed to C. Claiborne Ray in the New York Times, who spoke to Cornell University scientist Tro…

Our First Glimpse Of A Galaxy In Its Earliest Stage Of Construction

For the first time ever, astronomers have observed a galaxy in its initial phase of development. The discovery of a massive galaxy, dubbed “Sparky,” reveals a dense galactic core that’s producing new stars at a ferocious rate. Artistic impression: NASA, Z. Levay, G. Bacon (STScI) The galaxy, which is being observed a mere three billion…