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☆ Photos show what cave divers discovered when they swam inside an iceberg the size of Jamaica. Today, it's gone.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Her trip inside B-15 marked the first time anyone ever dove beneath an iceberg. Professional diver Jill Heinerth has been exploring Earth's oceans for 35 years. Once inside, Heinerth described it as "this dynamic environment that's beautiful. During their second dive inside B15, they got caught in a powerful current sucking them deeper inside the iceberg. AdvertisementSince Heinerth's dive, iceberg B15 has almost entirely melted away.

Persons: Jill Heinerth, She's, it's, Heinerth, Jill, gobsmacked, www.IntoThePlanet.com Organizations: Service, Business, Disney, WBUR, NASA Locations: Jamaica, Antarctica, B15

☆ One of Mt. Everest's deadliest passages is growing even more treacherous
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A 1.6-mile stretch of slowly cascading ice just above Base Camp called the Khumbu Icefall. The Khumbu Icefall looks like a frozen waterfall. They're called the Icefall Doctors, and this year, they delayed Everest's climbing season by 12 days due to unsafe conditions on the Khumbu Icefall. Between 1953 and 2019, 45 people lost their lives on the Khumbu Icefall. Everset's history, 15 of the 18 total deaths were caused by acute mountain sickness, falls, and disappearances.

Persons: They're, Paul Mayewski, Mount, climatologist, Olaf Rieck, Alan Arnette, Mayewski, Jason Maehl, there's, Arnette Organizations: Service, Business, Mount Everest, University of Maine, Wikimedia, Everest, AMS Locations: Everest, Everest's, Mt

☆ Scientists witnessed an orangutan treating his wounds with medicinal plants, showing human-like behavior
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

They believe it was caused by a neighboring male in what's known as a "long call battle," Laumer told Business Insider. Adult male orangutans like Rakus shout out "long calls" to attract females and let rival males know that this is their territory. Rakus may have unintentionally touched his leaf-mush-covered finger to his face, and instantly felt the pain-relieving properties of the plant, Laumer explained. But, because this is the first time this behavior has ever been observed in orangutans, scientists can't say for sure why or how Rakus did it. More alike than we are differentRakus's behavior reminds us a lot of our own behavior with medicinal plants, which could help us understand where our knack for medicinal treatment first evolved.

Persons: —, Caroline Schuppli, Isabelle Laumer, Laumer, Rakus, liana, Akar, Saidi, seng chye teo Organizations: Service, Institute of Animal, Business, Suaq Locations: Gunung Leuser, South Aceh, Indonesia, Gabon

☆ This $119 houseplant is bioengineered to remove harmful air pollution in your home.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Biotech company Neoplants just released the first houseplant grown to reduce indoor air pollution. Neo P1 can remove 30 times more VOC's, harmful indoor pollutants, than a typical houseplant. This week, the France-based biotech company Neoplants released the first houseplant bioengineered to remove harmful chemicals from indoor air. AdvertisementUnpacking the Neo P1 systemThe Neo P1 system comes with a marble queen pothos potted in a specially designed "shell," and a six-month supply of power drops. AdvertisementStriving for sustainabilityEvery part of the Neo P1 air purifying system is manufactured in the US.

Persons: —, you'd, Glenn Morrison, Patrick Torbey, Lionel Mora weren't, Mora, Torbey, Morrison, Neoplants, Jennifer Brophy, " Mora, it's, we'll Organizations: Biotech, Neoplants, Service, American Lung Association, University of North, Business, Stanford University, MIT Tech Locations: France, University of North Carolina, Torbey, VOCs, Neoplants, Paris

☆ The Lyrid meteor shower will align with April's 'pink moon.' Here's how to watch it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThe Lyrid meteor shower is in full swing this week. The meteor shower was most active from Sunday night to Monday morning, but it will remain visible for the next week. On Tuesday night, the Lyrids align with the April full moon, otherwise known as the "pink moon," which will rise at 7:49 p.m. It's a stunning sight all on its own, but seeing it during a meteor shower is a rare astronomical opportunity. AdvertisementBut again, because of the bright "pink" supermoon, stargazers may not see as many as they hope.

Persons: —, you've, stargazers Organizations: Service, Business, Hemisphere, NASA Locations: moonset

☆ Scientists solved the 70-year-old mystery of an insect's invisibility coat that can manipulate light
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

"This is really the first study to understand how the brochosome's complex geometry interacts with light," Wong said. After almost a decade of research, they managed to 3D print the world's first synthetic brochosomes. Wong's future research will partly focus on making smaller synthetic brochosomes to target the shorter end of the electromagnetic spectrum. Yaorusheng/Getty ImagesAlthough Wong's synthetic brochosomes mark a major step towards invisibility-cloaking technology, scientists are still decades away from bringing anything to market. "Depending on our imagination, I think there are many cool applications that can come out of brochosomes," Wong said.

Persons: —, Tak Sing Wong, aren't, Lin Wang, Wong Brochosomes, Wong, Wong's, brochosomes, Hao Xin Organizations: Service, Pennsylvania State University, Penn State, Business, University of Arizona, European Union Locations: brochosomes

☆ The 1 filling snack Michael Pollan swears by to curb his insatiable craving for potato chips
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | Hilary Brueck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

"I have a weakness for potato chips," Pollan told Business Insider, ahead of the release of his latest film. In his new documentary, Food Inc. 2, Pollan explores America's addiction to ultra-processed foods. Ultra-processed snacks, like potato chips, are designed to make you want to scarf down the whole bag. AdvertisementThe speed at which ultra-processed foods deliver carbs and fats to the gut also plays a role in the cycle. Advertisement"A very good definition of ultra-processed food is it is made from ingredients that no ordinary person keeps in their pantry," Pollan said.

Persons: —, Michael Pollan, he's, Pollan, they'll, Peter Dazeley Organizations: Service, Business, Food Inc, Nestle, Coca, Omega

☆ The one filling snack Michael Pollan swears by to curb his insatiable craving for potato chips
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | Hilary Brueck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

"I have a weakness for potato chips," Pollan told Business Insider, ahead of the release of his latest film. monticelllo/Getty ImagesIt's not just a matter of willpower: Ultra-processed snacks, like potato chips, are designed to make you want to scarf down the whole bag. AdvertisementThe speed at which ultra-processed foods deliver carbs and fats to the body also plays a role in this cycle. Since ultra-processed foods are designed to be quick and easy to consume, people eat more calories as a result. Advertisement"A very good definition of ultra-processed food is it is made from ingredients that no ordinary person keeps in their pantry," Pollan said.

Persons: —, Michael Pollan, Pollan, they'll, he's, Peter Dazeley Organizations: Service, Business, Inc, Omega

☆ I watched the total solar eclipse in a city that doubled in size during the event. I don't regret it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

I chose Burlington as my eclipse-viewing city because of its convenience, the length of totality, and the city's natural beautyI headed to Burlington, Vermont to watch the total solar eclipse on April 8, and even managed to snap a photo of totality. Ellyn LapointeBurlington is the state's largest city, but with a population of only 44,000, it feels more like a big small town. Its tree-lined streets are relatively quiet, there's hardly ever traffic, and everybody seems to know everybody. My parents live just 20 minutes away, so I didn't have to scramble to book a pricey hotel room. I watched the eclipse from Burlington's scenic Waterfront Park and enjoyed three minutes and 15 seconds of totality.

Persons: Ellyn Lapointe Burlington Organizations: Burlington Locations: Burlington , Vermont

☆ An expert who has seen 30 solar eclipses made my first experience with one breathtaking
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewOn Monday, I witnessed my first-ever total solar eclipse. Espanak has been to 30 total solar eclipses and has seen one on all seven continents — including Antarctica. AdvertisementIn the weeks leading up to April 8, I reached out to him for advice on how to make the most of my first total solar eclipse experience. Keep an eye on the weatherThe weather can make or break your total solar eclipse experience. Espanak's tips made my first total eclipse experience unforgettable.

Persons: —, Ellyn Lapointe, Fred Espanak, Espanak, He's, Espenak Organizations: Service, Business, Eclipse, NASA Locations: Burlington , Vermont, Lake Champlain, Burlington, Burlington , VT, Antarctica, Brooklyn , New York . New York City, In Burlington, New York

☆ I tried to snap a photo of the 'Devil comet' during the solar eclipse. Here's what happened.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThe weeks leading up to Monday's total solar eclipse became even more exciting when astronomers announced that comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as the "Devil comet," might be visible during totality. Where it all went wrongEven in the darkness of totality, I wasn't able to spot the "Devil comet" with my naked eye or my camera. But instead, I shot vaguely in the direction of where I thought the comet might be, and only captured darkness. All in all, I learned that photographing a comet with a standard DSLR is tricky. And in general, I wouldn't recommend trying to snap a picture of a comet during a total solar eclipse.

Persons: —, Pons, Brooks, Dan Bartlett, Bartlett, I'm, I'd Organizations: Service, Business

☆ A National Geographic photographer gave me advice on photographing the total solar eclipse. Here's how my photos turned out.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

So, I contacted Babak Tafreshi, a National Geographic photographer who has been snapping eclipse shots for 30 years. For photos of the partial eclipse, I used my iPhone camera, which I protected with a spare pair of eclipse glasses. One of my iPhone shots of the partial solar eclipse. Manual settings offer the dexterity you need to transition from photographing the partial eclipse to totality. AdvertisementJumping between shooting the partial eclipse, totality, the sunset-like horizon, and people definitely challenged my photography skills.

Persons: —, Babak Tafreshi, Ellyn Lapointe, Tafreshi Organizations: Service, National Geographic, Business Locations: Lake Champlain

☆ 4 reasons to convince your boss to let you miss work to see the total solar eclipse
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The first total solar eclipse in the US since 2017 is sure to be astonishing, weather permitting. The US won't get to experience totality again for 20 yearsThe 2017 total solar eclipse at 100% totality. Advertisement"He said, 'Before you die, you owe it to yourself to see a total solar eclipse,'" Baron recalled Pasachoff saying to him 30 years ago. You might be able to spot it during the total solar eclipse. AdvertisementWatch safelyMake sure to protect your eyes by wearing solar eclipse glasses, or finding alternative ways to watch the eclipse without looking directly at the sun.

Persons: —, John Finney, David Baron, he's, Jay Pasachoff, Baron, Pasachoff, Fred Espenak, Eclipse, He's, Espenak, 12P, Pons, Brooks, a.k.a, Everest, humbling, Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah Organizations: Service, Business, US, Great Locations: Texas, Maine, Aruba, — Texas, Oklahoma , Arkansas, Illinois

☆ A rare 'Devil Comet' will appear during the 2024 total solar eclipse. Here's how to see the Mt. Everest-sized space rock.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

During the total solar eclipse on April 8th, the fiery green "Devil comet" could be visible too. The timing offers a rare opportunity to simultaneously see a comet and a total solar eclipse. For the first time in 71 years, Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, a.k.a the "Mother of Dragons" or "Devil comet," is coming relatively close to the sun. Time will pass quickly, and there are plenty of other spectacular phenomena to watch for during the event, besides the Devil comet. So an eruption during the total solar eclipse would be a spectacular treat if it happened.

Persons: —, Comet 12P, Pons, Brooks, it's, Everest, Juan Lacruz, Robert Massey, Geronimo Villanueva, Pons Brooks, Stuart Atkinson Organizations: Service, Comet, Royal Astronomical Society, Wikimedia Locations: Texas, Maine, Jupiter

☆ 10 James Webb space photos reveal cosmic nurseries where stars come to life
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has unlocked a window into our universe unlike any before. Using its powerful infrared vision, JWST can peer into the hearts of stellar nurseries. JWST reveals how stars, planets, and potentially life itself, form in our universe. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Stellar nurseries, where new stars bloom to life, are thick clouds of gas and dust, a.k.a.

Persons: NASA's James Webb, —, James Webb, Klaus Pontoppidan, they're Organizations: Service, Jet Propulsion Laboratory

☆ A NASA astronaut, former SpaceX flight surgeon, and father of 2 says parenting is by far his hardest job
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewAnil Menon is one of NASA's newest astronauts and former SpaceX flight surgeon, but none of that compares to, what he said, is his hardest job: being a dad. Anil and Anna Menon pose together in their respective NASA and SpaceX astronaut jumpsuits. But when both parents work in space flight, unique challenges arise like conflicting schedules and time management. Anil Menon uses the problem-solving skills he gained from astronaut training to help him juggle parenting challenges. During astronaut training, Anil spent two months away from home in Florida learning how to fly a T-6 aircraft for pilot training.

Persons: —, Anil Menon, Anna Menon, Anil, Anna, James Blair, we've, James, Grace, Anil Menon Anil Organizations: Service, SpaceX, Polaris, Business, NASA Locations: Houston, LA, Florida

☆ Scientists are growing crops with salt water that could help save us from starvation
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Poor irrigation practices, such as insufficient water application, using saline water, and not maintaining adequate drainage can also lead to salty soils. Irrigation can drive salinization, especially if farmers are watering their crops with salty water. In this case, that means watering crops with salt water in their lab. Globally, over 3,700 acres — just over four times the size of NYC's Central Park — of farmland grow SaliCrop seeds. Red Sea Farms, for example, is a Saudi Arabian company that uses selective breeding to grow crops that can be irrigated with salt water.

Persons: Ṛcā, SaliCrop, Guy Shery, Carmit Oron, Godbole, Sharon Devir, Devir, Karl Weatherly, they're, Andy Sacks Organizations: Service, Business, Getty, UN Locations: Israel, Spain, Oron, India, Europe, Africa, Kansas, Saudi Arabian, Sweden

☆ Human activities are changing Earth's spin so much that it might affect how we keep time
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Polar ice melt driven by climate change is affecting Earth's rotation, according to new research. A human-driven change in the Earth's rotation has never been seen before, and may affect computing. DrPixel/Getty ImagesDon't worry — this change in Earth's rotation won't be catastrophic. Denis Tangney Jr./Getty ImagesAs a result, scientists predict that we would need the first-ever negative leap second by 2026. iStock / Getty Images PlusThere are three main mechanisms that control the Earth's spin:One is tidal friction, or the interaction between moving ocean water and the ocean floor, which slows Earth's rotation.

Persons: Duncan Agnew, what's, Denis Tangney Jr, Felicitas Arias, Judah Levine, Agnew, Andres Forza, you've Organizations: Service, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, International Bureau, Time Department, National Institute of Standards, Technology, Washington Post, Northern, Reuters, CNN Locations: Wellesley , Massachusetts, Needham, Northern Canada, Scandinavia, Argentina

NASA awarded Blue Origin $172 million to develop a space station for both astronauts and tourists. The space station, called Orbital Reef, will need to be able to support human life. AdvertisementThe International Space Station won't be around forever, and NASA is pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into its potential replacements. One promising candidate is Orbital Reef — a joint venture between Jeff Bezos's space company Blue Origin and Sierra Space. "Think spacious modules with large windows to view Earth, our blue origin, while experiencing the thrill of weightlessness in complete comfort," Blue Origin states on its website.

Persons: —, Jeff Bezos's, Angela Hart, Chris Hadfield, Matthias Maurer, Blue, Thomas Pesquet, Hart, Artemis, George Scott, NASA's, NASA It's, Biden, there's Organizations: NASA, Service, Origin, NASA's, ISS, Space Station, Space, International, ESA, Artemis, Soyuz, Shepard

☆ Homeowners spent $600,000 on a sand dune to protect their homes from coastal erosion. It collapsed after just 3 days.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Salisbury Beach residents pooled funds for a sand dune to protect their homes from coastal erosion. But "king" high tides washed away half of the human-made dune after only three days. The project, organized by the community nonprofit Salisbury Beach Citizens for Change, built a human-made sand dune along the beach to block floodwaters from reaching homeowners' properties. This video posted on the SBCFC facebook page shows the final stages of construction for the Salisbury Beach human-made dune. Seeding sand dunes with grass anchors sand in place, fortifying dunes against erosion from waves and wind, according to UMass Amherst.

Persons: Mary away, Tom Saab, SBCFC, Jens Figlus, They're, Figlus, DCR, Healey, Driscoll, Gary Miles, Ken Wiedemann, — you've Organizations: Service, Salisbury Beach Citizens, Salisbury, SBCFC, Business, Saab, Homeowners, State, Texas, M University, Massachusetts Department of Conservation, Driscoll Administration, Salisbury Beach, Coast, UMass Amherst Locations: Salisbury Beach, Salisbury Beach , Massachusetts, Salisbury, The Massachusetts, State, Massachusetts, Sandwich

☆ 17 crucial upgrades helped SpaceX finally get Starship to space without exploding
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

SpaceX's third test launch of its Starship mega-rocket went off without a hitch. SpaceX has made a series of upgrades to the rocket system that helped it finally reach space. As for Starship, SpaceX added three new angled liquid oxygen vents to the underside of the engine skirt that likely helped with attitude control. AdvertisementWhile this was the most successful Starship test launch to date, it didn't achieve all mission objectives. AdvertisementSpaceX officials said the company plans to complete at least six more Starship test flights this year, subject to regulatory approval, Reuters reported.

Persons: —, we've, Siva, Jonathan Newton, cowbell, Starship, it's, Kate Tice Organizations: SpaceX, Service, Federal Aviation Administration, Washington, Getty, FAA, Business, Super, NASA Spaceflight, SpaceX Quality Systems, Reuters Locations: Starbase, Boca Chica , Texas

☆ Elon Musk was nowhere to be seen at Starship's first successful launch to orbit
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Elon Musk finally achieved Starship's first successful flight to orbit early Thursday morning. Musk was seen in the launch control room at both previous launches, making his latest absence unusual. AdvertisementElon Musk was nowhere to be seen as SpaceX's Starship mega-rocket finally flew into orbit, cruised above Earth, and plummeted back through the atmosphere on Thursday. Elon Musk sat in the control room watching the first orbital launch of Starship, which exploded about four minutes after liftoff. Starship will make life multiplanetary pic.twitter.com/Ul7ksiAHBZ — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 14, 2024By all accounts, this successful launch was a dream come true for Musk.

Persons: Elon Musk, wasn't, Musk, —, Kimbal Musk, Elon, multiplanetary, Ul7ksiAHBZ — Elon Organizations: SpaceX, Service, X, SpaceX's South Texas launchpad, Twitter Locations: SpaceX's South Texas, New Jersey

Sitting atop its stainless steel Super Heavy booster, Starship stood taller than the Statue of Liberty at the company's new orbital launchpad in South Texas. As the booster fell back to Earth, Starship continued to climb toward the heavens, then shut off its engines to glide through space. Once fully operational, Starship will be able to carry up to 150 metric tonnes (165 US tons) to space, per SpaceX. Illustration of SpaceX Starship human lander design that will carry NASA astronauts to the Moon's surface during the Artemis mission. NASA's new moon rocket, SLS, could send 46 tons into orbits beyond the moon.

Persons: —, Elon, Musk, Dan Huot, Marianne Ayala, Morgan Stanley, Artemis, Artemis III Organizations: Service, SpaceX, Business, SpaceX's, Texas launchpad, X, NASA, Super, Saturn, Morgan, SLS, SpaceX SLS, Apollo Locations: South Texas, Texas

☆ 15 stunning photos show seahorses, monkeys, and Komodo dragons in X-ray vision
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The openVertebrate Project, a.k.a oVert, CT scanned the innards of over 13,000 museum specimens. Over the next four years, the oVert team plans to CT scan 20,000 more museum specimens. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . The openVertebrate project, or oVert for short, is built on the next best thing: CT scanning. The project's team plans to ramp things up to produce 20,000 scans over the next four years.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business

☆ Jupiter's moon Europa generates enough oxygen to keep a million people alive for a day, NASA says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

NASA's Juno mission found that Jupiter's icy moon Europa produces 1,000 tons of oxygen every 24 hours. That's enough oxygen to keep a million people alive for a day, NASA reported this week. Some of it may get stuck in the ice, some may escape to space, and some may travel downward into Europa's subsurface ocean. NASAWhat NASA's Juno mission has done is shed more light on the total amount of oxygen that Europa's surface generates. Measuring oxygen on EuropaTo measure how much oxygen Europa's surface generates, scientists used the Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment (JADE) instrument on board Juno.

Persons: NASA's, —, Curt Niebur, JunoCam, Kevin M, Gill, it's, Michael Carroll, Niebur, JADE, Juno, Jamey Szalay, Szalay Organizations: Service, NASA, JPL, Caltech, Europa, Princeton University, Clipper, Caltech Clipper, Europa Clipper Locations: Europa, auroral

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