Have you ever wondered what the world sounded like before the rise of civilization? In his book The Natural History of Silence, French entomologist Jérôme Sueur explores how human-generated noise impacts nature and ecosystems
We must honestly admit that in the 21st century, we are no less superstitious than in previous centuries. But what does modern science think about the nature of superstitions? Why does belief in omens remain so significant for us?
Human development throughout life can be imagined as a gradual sequence of changes — from an egg cell to the grave. It seems logical to assume that the entire organism matures and develops simultaneously and that aging occurs smoothly. However, as scientists have discovered, these processes follow a different, less obvious logic
The path of scientific progress is rather winding and thorny. This is evident from the debates surrounding a number of scientific discoveries made in 2024: from a fragment of fabric that may have belonged to Alexander the Great to an image of the central black hole of our Galaxy…
It is possible that humans are not the only intelligent beings on our planet. This is the conclusion drawn by Peter Godfrey-Smith, who studies the evolution of consciousness, intelligence, and perception. However, humans are the only species acting as agents of planetary change, striving for total control over all living things
The relationship between mathematics and physical reality is one of the most fascinating problems that the philosophy of science strives to solve. However, it turns out that mathematics operates not only in the external world. Most of the world’s languages adhere to an equation known as Zipf’s Law. And scientists have no idea why this is the case
Both ancient civilizations and modern scientists agree that a name holds a power capable of influencing our destiny. It shapes appearance, character, career success, and even lifespan
Futurists predict that in the coming decade, we will witness as many changes as once occurred over the course of a thousand years. Australian demographer Mark McCrindle suggests «standardizing» the lifespan of future generations — Beta, Gamma, and Delta — allotting 15 years to each
Humanity has always aspired to reach the sky — not just metaphorically but quite literally. With each passing century, it has advanced construction and architectural techniques, climbing ever higher. But can the Skyscraper Index really predict when a global economic crisis will occur?
Personalized diets are increasingly being used as an additional tool in the treatment of various diseases. However, physiologists also warn about potential health risks associated with trendy fasting systems and popular diets. Let’s delve into the real issues, limitations, and prospects of this field of knowledge
How can we survive crises and maintain inner balance? What strategy works best in times of uncertainty to strengthen psychological resilience? A new study reveals that hope and mindfulness are key tools for overcoming challenges
People have long noticed that their well-being depends on their diet. However, this knowledge was valuable not only for deriving dietary recommendations. It also addressed the existential question, «Who are we?» Steven Shapin explores this idea in his new book, «Food and Being: A History of Ideas About Our Food and Ourselves», published in 2024