Science

More than three decades after the horrific chemical attack on Halabja, the physical wounds may have scarred over for many, but the invisible psychological toll continues to afflict a vast majority of its survivors. What was once dismissed or undiagnosed has emerged as a pervasive mental health crisis, with recent studies revealing alarmingly high rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among those who endured the 1988 assault, highlighting a long-neglected legacy of suffering that demands urgent attention and comprehensive support.

The Shadow of Chemical Warfare: A Legacy of Physical and Psychological Devastation

On March 16, 1988, the Kurdish city of Halabja became the site of the largest chemical weapons attack against a civilian population in history

Nötsch im Gailtal, Austria – A pet cow named Veronika has recently stunned researchers and the scientific community by demonstrating a sophisticated ability to use tools, a behavior previously thought to be exclusive to a very limited number of species, including chimpanzees and humans. This remarkable discovery, detailed in a new study published in the Cell Press journal Current Biology, is prompting a significant re-evaluation of the cognitive capabilities of cattle and challenging long-held assumptions about livestock intelligence

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In an unprecedented event for the International Space Station (ISS), a four-member crew is undertaking an urgent return to Earth, scheduled for a splashdown early Thursday, following a medical emergency involving one of the astronauts

As cannabis legalization expands across the globe, a critical challenge has emerged: how to accurately and reliably measure impairment. Unlike alcohol, where a direct correlation between blood alcohol content and impairment is well-established, quantifying cannabis-induced impairment presents a complex scientific puzzle

As the calendar pages turn, marking the imminent arrival of 2026, millions across the globe will partake in the time-honored tradition of New Year's resolutions. This annual ritual, imbued with the promise of self-improvement and fresh beginnings, often begins with fervent hope but, for many, concludes with quiet disappointment

New research indicates that artificial intelligence chatbots, lauded for their advanced linguistic capabilities, are consistently displaying significant biases against speakers of non-standard dialects, raising concerns about deepening digital inequalities and perpetuating societal stereotypes.

Recent investigations across prominent universities highlight a disturbing trend: AI models, including popular large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, tend to rate dialect speakers less favorably, struggle with comprehension of their input, and often respond with stereotyping or condescending content. This emergent bias threatens to create an "unseen divide" in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-powered interactions, potentially marginalizing billions of global users.

The Pervasive Nature of Linguistic Discrimination in AI

Multiple studies have underscored the alarming extent of linguistic bias within AI systems

For centuries, anecdotal accounts have hailed dogs as possessing a mysterious "sixth sense," an uncanny ability to perceive impending danger long before their human companions. From forewarning natural disasters to detecting serious illnesses and even sensing malevolent intent, these stories have often been relegated to folklore

Across continents and millennia, humanity has left behind tantalizing whispers of its past in the form of written and symbolic systems. While many ancient scripts have yielded their secrets to determined scholars, a select few continue to defy decipherment, holding within their enigmatic symbols potentially revolutionary insights into forgotten civilizations, lost histories, and unparalleled forms of human expression

The notion that women often feel the effects of alcohol more rapidly than men is not merely anecdotal; it is a well-established biological reality rooted in fundamental physiological differences between the sexes. Scientific research consistently demonstrates that, even when consuming the same amount of alcohol, women typically achieve higher blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) and experience intoxication more quickly, a phenomenon primarily driven by variances in body composition, enzyme activity, and hormonal influences

As the festive season approaches, a distinctive collection of aromas begins to permeate homes and public spaces, from the sharp, fresh notes of pine to the warm, spicy comfort of cinnamon and gingerbread. These seasonal scents do more than simply signify the holidays; they act as powerful conduits to memory and emotion, capable of transporting individuals through time with an unparalleled vividness

For millennia, long before the advent of modern pharmaceuticals or complex surgical procedures, humanity instinctively turned to the power of words to mend the sick, soothe the troubled, and ward off disease. From ancient incantations whispered under starlit skies to the focused dialogues of contemporary psychotherapy, the belief in language as a potent healing agent has persisted across cultures and epochs

An enigmatic visitor from beyond our solar system, interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, recently made its closest approach to Earth, providing scientists with an extraordinary opportunity to study an object born in a distant star system. Discovered just months ago, this celestial wanderer's fleeting passage underscores the dynamic nature of our galaxy and offers a rare window into the primordial building blocks of other planetary environments

Washington D.C. — Across the globe, women are silently shouldering an overwhelming and disproportionate share of unpaid household and care work, a burden that is exacting a severe toll on their physical and mental health. This invisible labor, encompassing everything from daily chores to the intricate planning of family life, is not only undermining women's well-being but also impeding their economic advancement and perpetuating gender inequality in societies worldwide

As the festive season approaches, transforming stores and online marketplaces into bustling hubs of gift-giving, a critical warning emerges for consumers: the allure of cheap toys, especially those sourced from less regulated channels, can conceal serious health hazards for children. Beyond the immediate concerns of choking or physical injury, a silent threat of toxic chemicals and unsafe manufacturing practices often accompanies bargain buys, turning holiday cheer into potential danger for the most vulnerable members of the family

India stands at the precipice of a new era in space exploration, with its ambitious Gaganyaan mission poised to send Indian astronauts into Earth's orbit. This endeavor, a testament to decades of scientific advancement and national determination, aims to achieve independent human spaceflight, placing India among an elite group of nations