During sleep, your brain cleans itself by flushing through cerebrospinal fluid to prevent damage to brain cells. If you’re lacking in sleep, this happens when you are awake – and seems to cause momentary lapses in attention
Author: hatman
Quantum-inspired algorithm could help reveal hidden cosmic objects
Combining a quantum-inspired algorithm and quantum information processing technologies could enable researchers to measure masses of cosmic objects that bend light almost imperceptibly
US public health system is flying blind after major cuts
The Trump administration has laid off government workers integral to major public health surveys, meaning the country will lack crucial information on births, deaths and illnesses nationwide
How a surge in ancient plagues 5000 years ago shaped humanity
Plague, leprosy, smallpox and other diseases didn’t jump from animals to humans when we thought. Ancient DNA is revealing where they come from and how they changed history
Hurricane Melissa is being fuelled by exceptional ocean heat
The monster hurricane pummelling Jamaica is powered by abnormal sea surface temperatures in the Caribbean, which were made at least 500 times more likely by global warming
Men may have to exercise more than women to get same heart benefits
Among over-50s, women seem to require less exercise than men to get the same reduction in heart disease risk, suggesting health guidelines need to be updated
No space, no time, no particles: A radical vision of quantum reality
If we admit that quantum numbers are the true essence of reality – not particles, space or time – then a surprising and beautiful new vision of reality opens up to us
Why zero is the most important number in all of mathematics
It took a long time for zero to be recognised as a number at all, let alone one of the most powerful ones – but now it’s clear that every number is made up of zeroes, says Jacob Aron
Billionaires must not be allowed to geoengineer the planet
There is nothing stopping the wealthiest people from attempting to alter the world’s atmosphere – this must not be allowed to happen
Why group exercise is better than working out alone
When it comes to boosting mental health and even improving performance, team sports and group exercise come out on top, finds Grace Wade