ZME Science

ZME Science https://www.zmescience.com/ Enriching Science Journalism Fri, 15 May 2026 16:39:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://cdn.zmescience.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/cropped-logo-zmescience-32x32.png ZME Science https://www.zmescience.com/ 32 32 People Who Are Blind from Birth Never Develop Schizophrenia. This Could Transform Treatment https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/blind-schizophrenia/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/blind-schizophrenia/#respond Fri, 15 May 2026 16:38:30 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304499 Blind person with a white cane navigating the sidewalk near stairs.

Blind person with a white cane navigating the sidewalk near stairs.

Understanding why people born blind never develop schizophrenia could transform how we think about and treat one of medicine’s most baffling conditions.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/blind-schizophrenia/feed/ 0 Scientists Studied Half A Million People And Found A Sleep Sweet Spot For Healthy Aging https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/sleep-sweet-spot-healthy-aging/ https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/sleep-sweet-spot-healthy-aging/#respond Fri, 15 May 2026 16:30:56 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304444

Too little sleep was linked to faster ageing. So was too much.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/sleep-sweet-spot-healthy-aging/feed/ 0 Scientists Found a Hidden “Golden Rule” in Abstract Art — and Your Eyes May Already Know It https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/scientists-found-a-hidden-golden-rule-in-abstract-art-and-your-eyes-may-already-know-it/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/scientists-found-a-hidden-golden-rule-in-abstract-art-and-your-eyes-may-already-know-it/#respond Fri, 15 May 2026 15:42:52 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304418 A vibrant abstract artwork featuring geometric shapes, lines, and circles in various colors, inspire.

A vibrant abstract artwork featuring geometric shapes, lines, and circles in various colors, inspire.

Abstract art has a hidden structure that AI just can't replicate.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/scientists-found-a-hidden-golden-rule-in-abstract-art-and-your-eyes-may-already-know-it/feed/ 0 Your Bathroom Scrolling Habit Is Doing Something Bad to Your Body https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/health/wellness/phone-toilet-hemorrhoid-risk/ https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/health/wellness/phone-toilet-hemorrhoid-risk/#respond Fri, 15 May 2026 14:22:12 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=273816 Toilet with open lid in a clean bathroom setting.

Toilet with open lid in a clean bathroom setting.

The toilet was designed for a brief visit. Stop using it as a chair.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/health/wellness/phone-toilet-hemorrhoid-risk/feed/ 0 Scientists Stunned As Massive Volcano Eruption Destroyed Methane Around It for Over a Week https://www.zmescience.com/science/tonga-volcano-methane-cloud/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/tonga-volcano-methane-cloud/#respond Fri, 15 May 2026 11:26:54 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304242 Satellite view of a volcanic eruption with ash cloud and lava flow.

Satellite view of a volcanic eruption with ash cloud and lava flow.

After the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption, satellites spotted a strange formaldehyde-rich plume drifting across the stratosphere. Researchers say the cloud revealed a rare burst of methane destruction powered by seawater, ash, salt, and sunlight.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/tonga-volcano-methane-cloud/feed/ 0 Researchers Found 1,700 Tiny Protein-Like Molecules Hiding in the Human Genome https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/hidden-human-proteome-peptideins/ https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/hidden-human-proteome-peptideins/#respond Fri, 15 May 2026 10:55:32 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304377 Microbial bacteria clusters illuminated under a microscope, showcasing microscopic life forms and th.

Microbial bacteria clusters illuminated under a microscope, showcasing microscopic life forms and th.

The "dark proteome" is much more exciting than we thought.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/hidden-human-proteome-peptideins/feed/ 0 A Cannonball From the Alamo Has Emerged 190 Years After the Battle, Found Buried Near a Church https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/alamo-cannon-ball/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/alamo-cannon-ball/#respond Thu, 14 May 2026 23:53:59 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304365 Earthy mineral ball with rough texture on a plain white background.

Earthy mineral ball with rough texture on a plain white background.

The four pound bronze cannonball may have been fired at the Alamo by the Mexican Army.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/alamo-cannon-ball/feed/ 0 The Bizarre Reason Why the Earth’s Core Is Younger than the Crust https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/natural-sciences/geology-and-paleontology/planet-earth/earth-time-relativity-different/ https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/natural-sciences/geology-and-paleontology/planet-earth/earth-time-relativity-different/#respond Thu, 14 May 2026 22:11:52 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304379

This is less about geology and more about physics.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/natural-sciences/geology-and-paleontology/planet-earth/earth-time-relativity-different/feed/ 0 Birdwatching Is Making a Big Comeback and You’ll Never Guess Who’s Leading It (It’s Gen Z) https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/gen-z-birdwatching-boom/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/gen-z-birdwatching-boom/#respond Thu, 14 May 2026 20:26:17 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304328

Birding is becoming a mental health activity.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/gen-z-birdwatching-boom/feed/ 0 A New Alzheimer’s Drug Reversed Memory Decline in Mice Even After Symptoms Appeared https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/a-new-alzheimers-drug-reversed-memory-decline-in-mice-even-after-symptoms-appeared/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/a-new-alzheimers-drug-reversed-memory-decline-in-mice-even-after-symptoms-appeared/#respond Thu, 14 May 2026 17:52:47 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304350 Fluorescent image of neurons showing neural connections and cell bodies.

Fluorescent image of neurons showing neural connections and cell bodies.

A new experimental Alzheimer’s compound called FLAV-27 improved memory and reduced disease-like damage in worms and mice.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/a-new-alzheimers-drug-reversed-memory-decline-in-mice-even-after-symptoms-appeared/feed/ 0 Fruit Flies Survived Extreme 13G Hypergravity That Would Crush Most Humans https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/fruit-flies-survived-extreme-hypergravity/ https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/fruit-flies-survived-extreme-hypergravity/#respond Thu, 14 May 2026 17:40:46 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304290 Tiny fruit fly on wooden surface, macro shot.

Tiny fruit fly on wooden surface, macro shot.

Fruit flies react strangely when gravity gets stronger.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/fruit-flies-survived-extreme-hypergravity/feed/ 0 What’s the Point of Learning a New Language If You Can Translate Anything With AI? Actually, There Is https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/whats-the-point-of-learning-a-new-language-if-you-can-translate-anything-with-ai-actually-there-is/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/whats-the-point-of-learning-a-new-language-if-you-can-translate-anything-with-ai-actually-there-is/#respond Thu, 14 May 2026 16:13:49 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304359

There’s a difference between using a tool to assist you, and using one to replace cognitive effort.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/whats-the-point-of-learning-a-new-language-if-you-can-translate-anything-with-ai-actually-there-is/feed/ 0 Humans in the Andes Evolved a Defense Against Arsenic After Being Exposed to Poisoned Water for Thousands of Years https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/humans-andes-arsenic-mutation/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/humans-andes-arsenic-mutation/#respond Thu, 14 May 2026 16:07:52 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304349

Some Andean communities carry genetic variants that help detoxify poisoned water.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/humans-andes-arsenic-mutation/feed/ 0 The Age of Monster Wind Turbines Is Here. Here Are the Biggest Ones https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/technology-articles/sustainability/renewable-energy/the-age-of-monster-wind-turbines-is-here-here-are-the-biggest-ones/ https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/technology-articles/sustainability/renewable-energy/the-age-of-monster-wind-turbines-is-here-here-are-the-biggest-ones/#respond Wed, 13 May 2026 20:16:35 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304262

Offshore wind is getting bigger, riskier, and more efficient.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/technology-articles/sustainability/renewable-energy/the-age-of-monster-wind-turbines-is-here-here-are-the-biggest-ones/feed/ 0 A Neanderthal with a Toothache May Have Invented Dentistry 59,000 Years Ago https://www.zmescience.com/science/anthropology/a-neanderthal-with-a-toothache-may-have-invented-dentistry-59000-years-ago/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/anthropology/a-neanderthal-with-a-toothache-may-have-invented-dentistry-59000-years-ago/#respond Wed, 13 May 2026 18:03:00 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304254 Primitive human preparing food in icy wilderness, survival, prehistoric era, ancient cooking scene, cold climate, early human life, anthropology, survival skills, snow-covered environment, rugged outdoors, anthropology research, historical food preparation, archeological find, early human civilization.

Primitive human preparing food in icy wilderness, survival, prehistoric era, ancient cooking scene, cold climate, early human life, anthropology, survival skills, snow-covered environment, rugged outdoors, anthropology research, historical food preparation, archeological find, early human civilization.

Neanderthal dentists used stone drills to treat cavities nearly 60,000 years ago,]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/anthropology/a-neanderthal-with-a-toothache-may-have-invented-dentistry-59000-years-ago/feed/ 0 The “Pythagorean Theorem” Is Probably Thousands of Years Older Than Pythagoras https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/natural-sciences/mathematics/the-pythagorean-theorem-is-probably-thousands-of-years-older-than-pythagoras/ https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/natural-sciences/mathematics/the-pythagorean-theorem-is-probably-thousands-of-years-older-than-pythagoras/#respond Wed, 13 May 2026 17:12:46 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304159

Ancient scribes, priests, and surveyors were using the famous much earlier.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/natural-sciences/mathematics/the-pythagorean-theorem-is-probably-thousands-of-years-older-than-pythagoras/feed/ 0 Scientists Looked at 52 Studies on Testosterone and Risk Taking and Found Almost No Connection https://www.zmescience.com/science/biology/scientists-looked-at-52-studies-on-testosterone-and-risk-taking-and-found-almost-no-connection/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/biology/scientists-looked-at-52-studies-on-testosterone-and-risk-taking-and-found-almost-no-connection/#respond Wed, 13 May 2026 16:08:38 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304275 Climber balancing on a rope inside a dark cave, demonstrating adventure and exploration.

Climber balancing on a rope inside a dark cave, demonstrating adventure and exploration.

Scientists tested whether testosterone makes people take more risk and the result was basically zero.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/biology/scientists-looked-at-52-studies-on-testosterone-and-risk-taking-and-found-almost-no-connection/feed/ 0 Chinese Robot Startup Releases Half-ton Mech Suit, Politely Asks People Not to Weaponize It https://www.zmescience.com/future/mech-suit-unitree/ https://www.zmescience.com/future/mech-suit-unitree/#respond Wed, 13 May 2026 15:42:12 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304289 Human interacting with large humanoid robot on city street, with smaller robots nearby.

Human interacting with large humanoid robot on city street, with smaller robots nearby.

The GD01 is a $650,000 manned robot with big sci-fi energy.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/future/mech-suit-unitree/feed/ 0 A Conservation Program Is Paying People in Borneo Cash for Wildlife Sightings https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/borneo-paid-for-widlife-sighting/ https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/borneo-paid-for-widlife-sighting/#respond Wed, 13 May 2026 15:40:20 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304307 Young orangutan in a dense jungle environment with green foliage.

Young orangutan in a dense jungle environment with green foliage.

A new conservation idea in Borneo is turning wildlife sightings into income.]]> https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/borneo-paid-for-widlife-sighting/feed/ 0 Much of the American West Could See Worse Than Usual Wildfire Risk This Summer https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/much-of-the-american-west-could-see-worse-than-usual-wildfire-risk-this-summer/ https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/much-of-the-american-west-could-see-worse-than-usual-wildfire-risk-this-summer/#respond Wed, 13 May 2026 15:11:00 +0000 https://www.zmescience.com/?p=304300 Wildfire in a forest with tall trees and bright flames illuminating the night sky.

Wildfire in a forest with tall trees and bright flames illuminating the night sky.

The National Interagency Fire Center predicts elevated wildfire potential across much of the West and many Southeast states through August. ]]> https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/much-of-the-american-west-could-see-worse-than-usual-wildfire-risk-this-summer/feed/ 0