Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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The Atomic Labyrinth: Deciphering the Carbon-12 Nucleus
By U.S. Department of Energy January 2, 2024 Researchers have unraveled the complex structure of the carbon-12 nucleus, revealing that its lower energy states consist of clusters forming triangular shapes. This discovery by an international collaboration enhances our understanding of carbon’s formation in the Universe and aligns with existing experimental data. Credit: SciTechDaily.com An international…
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Unlocking the appetite-stimulating secrets of cannabis through rodent brain studies
In a recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers investigated how cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1R) expressing neurons in the mediobasal hypothalamus ( MBH) regulate the appetite-stimulating effects of inhaled cannabis in rodents. Study: Cannabis Sativa targets mediobasal hypothalamic neurons to stimulate appetite. Image Credit: TayHamPhotography / Shutterstock Background Cannabis sativa is known to stimulate appetite, influencing the…
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Look Up! The Quadrantid Meteor Shower Is About to Peak : ScienceAlert
The first meteor shower of the year is about to peak, but you need to be ready if you want to catch it. The Quadrantids is due to peak at 12:53 UTC on 4 January 2024, with up to 110 to 120 meteors streaking through the atmosphere per hour. It’s one of the most intense…
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Fireball meteor shower tonight: How to see the Quadrantid January 2024 peak
Missed the New Year’s fireworks display? Not to worry, tonight you can witness space’s own sparkles, the Quadrantid meteor shower (aka Quadrantids). Producing up to 110 meteors per hour, there’s also the chance you’ll see several fireballs shoot across the night sky. The Quadrantids are short-lived, so you’ll have to be quick, as the peak…
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Scientists link growth hormone to anxiety and fear memory through specific neuron group
Growth hormone (GH) acts on many tissues throughout the body, helping build bones and muscles, among other functions. It is also a powerful anxiolytic. A study conducted by researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil has produced a deeper understanding of the role of GH in mitigating anxiety and, for the first…
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Gut microbiota linked to social anxiety behaviors
In a recent study published in the journal PNAS, researchers investigated whether the gut microbiota plays a causal role in modulating behaviors relevant to social anxiety disorder (SAD). SAD, a mental condition defined by anxiety or acute dread in social situations, commonly begins in childhood and results in permanent functional impairment and impaired life quality.…
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Previously unidentified protein variant shields against Parkinson’s disease
A previously unidentified genetic mutation in a small protein provides significant protection against Parkinson’s disease and offers a new direction for exploring potential treatments, according to a new USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology study. The variant, located in a mitochondrial microprotein dubbed SHLP2, was found to be highly protective against Parkinson’s disease; individuals with…
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Radiographic study exposes ancient oral health of Swedish Vikings
A recent PLOS ONE study reports the prevalence of dental pathologies and anatomical variations in a Swedish Viking Age population using radiographic techniques. Study: Caries prevalence and other dental pathological conditions in Vikings from Varnhem, Sweden. Image Credit: Quality Stock Arts / Shutterstock.com Background Osteoarchaeological dental examinations provide unique information about general health, oral discomfort, infections of…
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New AI tool spotlights hidden cancers for better diagnosis
A new artificial intelligence tool that interprets medical images with unprecedented clarity does so in a way that could allow time-strapped clinicians to dedicate their attention to critical aspects of disease diagnosis and image interpretation. The tool, called iStar (Inferring Super-Resolution Tissue Architecture), was developed by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the…
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Strongest Solar Flare Since 2017
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare – as seen in the bright flash on the far left – on December 31, 2023. The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares, which is colorized in yellow and orange. Credit: NASA/SDO The Sun…
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