Science in telegram

Why Men and Women Experience Pain Differently It is well-known that men and women perceive pain and respond to analgesics in distinct ways. A recent study involved 98 participants, both healthy individuals and those suffering from chronic lower back pain. They were trained in pain-relieving meditation techniques. Some participants received a high dose of naloxone—a drug that blocks opioid receptors—before meditating to improve their well-being. In men, naloxone completely neutralized the pain-relieving effects of meditation. In contrast, for women, it even slightly enhanced the relief. Meditation showed significant benefits for participants with back pain who did not receive naloxone. The study concludes that men rely on opioid receptors for pain relief, while women engage other biological mechanisms to manage pain. #Science #PainResearch #GenderDifferences #Meditation #Neuroscience #Health

How Did the Term “Bug” Originate in Programming? In 1947, operators of one of the earliest computers, the Mark II at Harvard University, encountered an unexpected issue: a moth had become trapped in one of the machine’s relays, causing it to malfunction. The operators removed the insect and taped it into the technical logbook, noting that a “bug” (referring to the moth) had been found. From that point on, the term “bug” became synonymous with errors or glitches in programs and systems, firmly embedding itself in the language of computer science. #ProgrammingHistory #ComputerScience #TechTrivia #SoftwareDevelopment #MarkII #BugOrigin #science

If you’re wondering, no, this isn’t a scene from the latest Alien movie. What the fisherman is holding is a wolf eel, a fascinating creature found in the northern Pacific Ocean. It can grow up to 2.5 meters long! Despite its fearsome appearance, the wolf eel mainly feeds on crustaceans and mollusks and rarely hunts fish. #CheckThisOut #ScienceIsCool #OceanLife #WildCreatures #science

Why should an organism, like the green crab spider (Diaea dorsata), have two eyes? In nature, eye number often evolves based on specific environmental and survival needs. Many spiders, for example, have multiple eyes (usually eight), allowing them to detect movement and focus on prey from various angles, even in low light. In the case of this spider, its visual system with multiple eyes maximizes its ability to detect predators and prey across its environment, providing a critical survival advantage. So, while many creatures, including humans, have two eyes for a stereoscopic vision that enhances depth perception, spiders need a broader field of vision due to their predatory and defensive strategies. In an image captured at 20x magnification by Pavel Blachowicz, this green crab spider, adorned with eyes, shows how evolution has tailored its visual apparatus for survival in its habitat.

Ocean Currents off the Coast of the Americas This visualization was created using satellite imagery and ocean data collected by NASA. The green hues represent cooler temperatures, while the white, yellow, and red colors indicate warmer areas. 🌍 @science

📊 Survey Results: Geographic Distribution of Our Readers 🌍 We asked, and more than 2,000 of you responded! Here are the current results showing where our readers are located: 1️⃣ Central & South Asia (India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, etc.) - 26% 2️⃣ Western Europe (UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, etc.) - 11% 3️⃣ Eastern Europe & Russia (Russia, Ukraine, Poland, etc.) - 10% 4️⃣ North America (USA, Canada, Mexico) - 10% 5️⃣ Middle East & North Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, etc.) - 10% 6️⃣ Sub-Saharan Africa (Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, etc.) - 9% 7️⃣ Northern & Southern Europe (Sweden, Norway, Italy, etc.) - 8% 8️⃣ East & Southeast Asia (China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.) - 8% 9️⃣ Central & South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, etc.) - 6% 🔟 Australia & Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, etc.) - 2% Thank you to everyone who participated! It’s amazing to see how diverse our community is. 🌏✨ @science

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The giant, perfectly circular area you’re referring to is indeed quite striking and often prompts imaginative explanations like alien activity. However, this circular shape is entirely man-made. It surrounds Mount Taranaki, an extinct stratovolcano in New Zealand, within a forest reserve whose borders were established by humans. The distinct boundary between the lush forest of the reserve and the surrounding farmlands creates this almost perfect circle visible from space. The reserve’s purpose is to protect the ecosystem around the volcano, and the contrast between the preserved forest and agricultural land results in the striking shape.

Neurons under a microscope

Today, SpaceX successfully caught its Super Heavy booster for the first time using “mechanical arms.”

Scientists have developed a pill that could replace exercise and dieting. The drug, called LaKe, activates muscle metabolism and improves endurance by mimicking the effects of prolonged physical activity. Additionally, the pill reduces fat levels and provides other health benefits—much like running a 10-kilometer race. Initial tests on mice have already shown positive results, and the next step will be human trials. 👍 — This is exactly what we need!

Wow, those new Ilon Musk bots are awesome! @science #robots

A comet passes by the Sun! Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS), which under certain conditions is currently visible to the naked eye, has been captured by the SOHO spacecraft. In the center of the image, the Sun is obscured by a coronagraph, while solar eruptions can be seen all around. #science #space #comet

The eye of a female humpback whale

🚀✨ A Rare Celestial Visitor is Approaching Earth! 🌌🌠 Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, a comet discovered in 1965, is making its closest approach to Earth this month – a sight that won’t happen again for thousands of years! This icy wanderer will be visible through binoculars or small telescopes, offering a rare chance to catch a glimpse of a comet that’s been traveling through the cosmos for millions of years. Mark your calendars for mid-October, when it will be closest to us, passing at a distance of about 33 million miles (53 million kilometers). The best viewing time will be just before dawn, as it appears near the constellation Cancer. 🌠 Fun fact: Comets like Tsuchinshan-ATLAS are considered “time capsules” from the early solar system, containing ancient materials that date back billions of years. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the mysteries of the universe! 🪐🔭 #CometTsuchinshanATLAS #Astronomy #Stargazing #SpaceExploration #CosmicWonders

Severe geomagnetic storms, reaching up to G4 class or even higher, are expected on Earth from Thursday to Friday. These storms could also be the longest-lasting of the year.

We are continuing our survey to learn more about where our readers are from. The interim results can be seen in the chart here. It’s amazing to see that Science is being read in all corners of the globe! Thank you for your support and participation! @science #science

In 1963, Polaroid’s chemists marked a breakthrough in photography. For over 15 years, they tested more than 5,000 different reagents, all with the goal of perfecting the process of color printing. #history #science