ScientistPankaj: Week in Science: The most important rock on Mars

Friday, August 2, 2024

Week in Science: The most important rock on Mars

August 2—This week, quantum physics complicates an ancient mathematical paradox, NASA discovers a rock on Mars that could hold evidence of alien life, and why some people can get so attached to celebrities and TV characters. And check out our new games section!

--Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor

Top Stories

Quantum Physics Has Reopened Zeno's Paradoxes

For thousands of years, scholars pondered the question of how anything can move in our world. The problem seemed to have been solved—until the development of quantum mechanics

Manon Bischoff

To the left of the rover near the center of the image is the arrowhead-shaped rock nicknamed

This Is the Most Exciting Rock Ever Found on Mars

Mysterious "leopard spots" on a Martian rock could be evidence of extraterrestrial life—or of mere lifeless chemistry. Finding out the truth may require bringing the rock back to Earth

Lee Billings

Silhouette of couple in black. The man's figure vanishes in smoke.

Parasocial Relationships Can Tell Us a Lot about the Social Brain

People can form surprisingly strong bonds with others—even when that tie is one-sided

Daisy Yuhas

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An illustration shows a person falling into the screen of a smartphone

Social Media Is Junk Food for Information Foragers

Social media exploits our evolved need for information, feeding us fluff and outright misinformation. A new science of human collective behavior can help us retake control

Carl T. Bergstrom, expert writer; C. Brandon Ogbunu, expert writer

Semaglutide injection pen or cartridge pen for diabetics and weight loss in female hand

Combining Ayahuasca Compound with Drugs like Ozempic Could Help Treat Diabetes, Mouse Model Suggests

Researchers combined the drug harmine with a medication similar to Ozempic to boost the number and function of human insulin-producing cells transplanted into mice

Lauren J. Young

Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell stand on a street in a film still from Twisters

Tornado Scientists Love Twister and Twisters. Here's Why

Weather experts talk about why the film Twister is often such a favorite among tornado researchers and what they think of its new stand-alone sequel, Twisters

Andrea Thompson

Dungeons and Dragons figurines displayed, standing on a table

Dungeons & Dragons Is Shedding 'Race' in Gaming. Here's Why It Matters

The nerd culture powerhouse is rebranding its elves, dwarfs and orcs, previously referred to as races, and moving towards use of the term species

Steven Dashiell, expert writer

Old wrinkled hands with red cuffs playing the piano.

Musical Memories Don't Fade with Age

Eighty-year-olds are able to identify familiar tunes just as well as teenagers can

Bianca Nogrady; Nature magazine

How to See Stars, Satellites, and More in the Daytime Sky

It's possible to see celestial objects during the day, but it's not always easy

Phil Plait

Taylor Swift and Bach Can Thank Ancient Temples for Modern Music

The basic notes, rests and harmonies of Western music arose as humans heard how sounds traveled through the first large temples, built more than 2,000 years ago

Lynn Whidden, expert writer