Veículo
Interesting Engineering (EUA)
Em 2025: 4 notícias
Desde 1995: 22 notícias
113 million years: Oldest-ever fossil of ‘hell ant’ reveals ancient predatory traits
Publicado em 24 de abril de 2025
A fossilized ant unearthed in northeastern Brazil is rewriting the story of ant evolution. Preserved in limestone and dating back 113 million years, the specimen is now the oldest known ant fossil, according to a new study.
The fossil belongs to the extinct subfamily Haidomyrmecinae, informally known as “hell ants” for their fearsome appearance and unusual, vertically articulating jaws. The new species will help us better understand how ants diversified and spread globally during [...]
-
80% recycled cement matches strength of Portland cement, cuts emissions by 61%
Publicado emAt the heart of this breakthrough is a heat-treatment process.ver notícia -
135,000-year-old beginning for human language capacity predicted by genetic evidence
Publicado emLanguage may have driven symbolic thinking and social innovations around 100,000 years ago. A new study explores the long-debated question of when humans first developed language. Genome-level research suggests early Homo sapiens may have begun using language around 135,000 years ago. While all human languages share a common origin, the exact timing of their emergence remains uncertain. Researchers emphasize that language, more than any other trait, defines humanity. Taking a novel [...]ver notícia -
Year-round maize? Lost Amazon farming system from 1,500 years ago defies history
Publicado em 29 janeiro 2025This research challenges numerous assumptions about large-scale monoculture agriculture and how it was thought to be impossible in the Amazon. An international group of scholars has recently discovered and proved that one civilization in the Amazon successfully developed an advanced agricultural system that allowed them to plant maize crops year-round. This research challenges numerous assumptions about large-scale monoculture agriculture and how it was thought to be impossible, given the [...]ver notícia -
6.95 mm toad: World's second-smallest vertebrate discovered in Brazil
Publicado em 30 outubro 2024Brachycephalus dacnis This flea tod measures just 6.95 millimeters in length. A separate research team had earlier identified another species within the same genus, B. pulex , in the southern Bahia state of Brazil. One of the individuals measured a mere 6.45 mm in length. Miniature size This marks the seventh species of flea toad to be described within the genus Brachycephalus . The toad's small size is an adaptation to its unique environment. Flea toads are tiny adults, [...]ver notícia -
World's oldest Jurassic-era giant tadpole fossil found, dating back 160 million years
Publicado em 30 outubro 2024The tadpole, approximately six inches long, represents a younger stage of an extinct giant frog. Scientists have found the oldest fossil of a giant tadpole, which moved more than 160 million years ago. The recent fossil discovery in Argentina predates the former ancient record holder by roughly 20 million years. Embedded in a sandstone slab are fragments of the tadpole's skull and spine and markings of its eyes and nerves. “It's not only the oldest tadpole known, but [...]ver notícia -
World’s 1st farmers? Ants started cultivating fungi 66 million years ago
Publicado em 03 outubro 2024It turns out ants had been cultivating fungi for millions of years before humans began farming.ver notícia -
2 billion tons: Canada wildfires emit a decade’s worth of CO2 in 1 season
Publicado em 14 agosto 2024The State of Wildfires report warns that the frequency and intensity of wildfires are increasing, driven by human-induced climate change. Updated: Canada’s wildfires of the past year have set an alarming precedent, producing nearly as much greenhouse gas emissions in a single season as would typically accumulate over a decade under normal circumstances. According to the latest State of Wildfires report, released on Wednesday, these fires contributed approximately 2 billion tonnes of [...]ver notícia -
New lensless fluorescence microbial detection system to save millions of lives
Publicado em 08 agosto 2024A more efficient, low-cost system to help detect microbes in water quickly and easily, could help save millions of lives yearly in developing countries. Updated: Researchers developed a fluorescence detection system (right) that can provide highly sensitive detection of deadly microorganisms in drinking water, without using any lenses. They are now converting the technology into a lensless dip-in handheld system (left) that could be useful for testing water quality in the traditional natural [...]ver notícia -
Shocking: Covid-19 virus can affect sperm for 110 days post-infection
Publicado em 05 junho 2024A recent study from the University of Sao Paulo reveals that COVID-19 can impact male reproductive health for an extended period. Updated: Recent studies have raised concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on male fertility, with the virus potentially persisting in sperm for up to 90 days after hospital discharge and even up to 110 days after initial infection. This presence may significantly affect semen quality. “Even though this virus is scarcely found in human semen polymerase [...]ver notícia