Science
Earth-sized planets roam between the stars
Earth sized planets that could harbour life roam the darkness of space - between the stars, according to new research. The wandering worlds - known as 'free floating' or 'orphan' planets - have been detected for the first time. They cross the Milky Way without companion planets or even a star - and there are probably billions out there. And despite having no sunlight organisms could survive in hydrothermal vents - opening up more opportunities in the search for extra...
Mechanism that triggers Alzheimer’s disease discovered
A drug to slow dementia could be on the horizon after a breakthrough by British scientists. Devastating neurological conditions - including Alzheimer's disease - are caused by breaks in DNA, according to new research. The fault triggers the death of nerve cells. But it can be corrected by boosting the DNA's natural repair toolkit, says the team. The breakthrough could pave the way to developing medications that slow dementia, Parkinson's disease and motor neurone disease. In lab tests on cells...
King Solomon’s mines were a myth, a 20-year study concluded
King Solomon’s fabled mines which helped the biblical ruler accumulate a gold stash worth more than £2.3TRILLION are a “complete myth”, historians believe. The Old Testament King is said to have gathered 500 tonnes of pure gold from mines which some hopefuls believe still exist – and remain stuffed with precious metals. But experts now claim the legendary source of Solomon’s incredible wealth never existed. The ruins of Tanis, the capital city of Egyptian pharaoh Shoshenq I. And they’ve also...
New dinosaur species discovered
A colourful bird-like dinosaur that was as big as a man has been identified by scientists. The blue and beige feathered creature stalked the Canadian 'badlands' of Alberta 71 million years ago. Its remains had been dug up over the years in what is now Red Deer River Valley - a famous dinosaur graveyard - but it's only now that a true picture of it has emerged. Palaeontologists initially thought the bones of Albertavenator curriei belonged to its close relative...
Further Tory Brexit rebellion as cancer patients left in the lurch by “Govt MORONS”
Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth joined MP’s from all sides, as well as medical bodies and scientists rounding on the government for pulling out of the European nuclear body Euratom as part of its chaotic Brexit plans. The Royal College of Radiologists today warned that ‘thousands’ of cancer patients face delays to their treatment as leaving Euratom 'threatens supply of key cancer treatment material,’ as radioactive isotopes that decay quickly need to flow freely from Europe. The Labour frontbencher...
How did long-necked beast from dinosaur age manage to swim?
A sea monster that roamed the oceans during the age of the dinosaurs kept its 23 foot neck straight as a rod as it hunted like crocodiles or snakes, a study shows. The plesiosaur was a swimming reptile that thrived for 140 million years despite having a neck that measured up to seven metres - three times longer than a giraffe's. It has remained an evolutionary marvel for hundreds of years - until British scientists shed fresh light on the...
Romans were “thousands of years ahead of their time when it comes to concrete
Ancient Roman buildings have survived thousands of years relatively intact because they made concrete from seawater, according to new research. And the study suggests the ancient recipe could help modern builders create structures to stand the test of time - while reducing global warming. The research shows that the iconic Colosseum, the Pantheon and Trajan's Markets survive today because ancient Romans made concrete out of seawater. An analysis of 2,000 year old cement made from volcanic ash and limestone suggests...
NASA searches Uranus for gas and finds 10 more Earth-like planets
Exciting times at NASA where plans to send a probe to Uranus or Neptune to study the gases that surround these neighbouring planets in our solar system have been announced. NASA wants to learn about the constituency of these icy giants somewhat neglected by science, so far from our sun, that solar power for any probe would be useless. The Uranus or Neptune probe would need a nuclear battery - in short supply due to treaties about plutonium enrichment. NASA hope...
Groundwater was present on Mars for “much longer than we previously thought”
Mars was covered in water far longer than previously thought, meaning life could have been there more recently, according to scientists. Lighter-toned bedrock that surrounds cracks and fissures in the surface suggests the red planet had liquid longer much longer than previously thought - because it left behind halo-like rings of silica. The new finding is reported in a paper published today in Geophysical Research Letters, a journal of the American Geophysical Union. Jens Frydenvang, a scientist at Los Alamos...