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Phys.org / Natural hallucinogens may have evolved as ecological tools, not chemical accidents
Natural hallucinogens, such as psilocybin, mescaline, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and related compounds, have generally received attention for their effects on human perception, emotion and cognition. Recently, interest ...
Phys.org / How oxygen sneaks into a corked wine bottle long before the first pour
The main reason for sealing wine bottles with a cork is to protect the liquid from oxygen. However, it is not an impermeable barrier, and a small amount of air leaks in, which is not always entirely bad news. The gas helps ...
Phys.org / Einstein Probe detects mysterious X-ray transient that doesn't fit any known class
Astronomers have reported the discovery of an unusual X-ray transient detected by the Einstein Probe that does not fit any known class of cosmic explosions. The paper presenting its multiwavelength analysis was published ...
Phys.org / How ancient subduction zones helped create hotspots of mineral wealth
A study led by geoscientists at the University of Sydney has revealed why some ancient continental edges became fertile sites for major mineral deposits, while others with apparently similar geology did not.
Phys.org / What really controls water chemistry in nanoscale spaces
Water is the most studied molecule on Earth, yet a surprisingly basic question has gone unanswered for decades: When water is squeezed into gaps just a few molecules wide—as happens inside nanoscale pores, membranes and biological ...
Medical Xpress / Nordic walking significantly reduces depression symptoms in as little as five weeks, trial finds
Walking with poles is often associated with trekking, but these accessories are part of a very effective aerobic activity called Nordic walking. The specially designed poles make it a full-body exercise that engages up to ...
Phys.org / Inorganic nanoscale device behaves like a single neuron, opening doors for AI and retinal implants
McGill University researchers have developed a light-detecting nanoscale structure that mimics how a neuron processes information. The neuron-like behavior emerges from the materials themselves, reducing the energy demand ...
Phys.org / Centuries-old planktonic shell mystery solved with discovery of self-assembling proteins
Biomaterials with extraordinary properties, such as spider silk, have so far been known primarily from animals. Researchers at the University of Salzburg in Austria have now deciphered a surprising counterpart from the world ...
Phys.org / Ancient asteroid barrage may explain why early Earth had no stable continents
New research led by Curtin University and QUT (Queensland University of Technology) has revealed that repeated asteroid impacts may have been the dominant force shaping early Earth, delivering vast amounts of heat into the ...
Science X / Could less caffeine be the smarter performance enhancer? Scientists find a surprising sweet spot
Think of an athlete eyeing the finish line—could a single shot of caffeine be the difference between a podium finish and a personal best? For decades, runners and cyclists have treated the stimulant as a near-magical performance ...
Phys.org / Language-based screeners may miss kids who struggle to read due to visual-processing issues
Reading difficulties, like dyslexia, are common and often affect achievement and outcomes during school and later in life. A new study, published in Current Biology, reports that current methods used to test for reading disabilities ...
Phys.org / Warming may slow forest growth and cut carbon storage by 30%, model shows
Forests and land play an important role in absorbing carbon dioxide emissions, but current models and forecasts don't incorporate a surprising ecological discovery: Despite more available carbon, climate change and warmer ...