Science

December 23, 2020

Study Finds That All Blue-Eyed People Share a Common Ancestor

A group of scientists at the University of Copenhagen has determined that all blue-eyed people share one common ancestor from 6,000–10,000 years ago. “Originally, we all had brown eyes,” explains professor Hans Eiberg from the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. “But a genetic mutation affecting the OCA2 gene in our chromosomes resulted in the creation of a ‘switch,' which literally ‘turned off' the ability to produce brown eyes.

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November 29, 2020

Take a Look at the Most Detailed Map of Mars Photographed From Earth

Using photos taken at the Pic du Midi Observatory, astrophotographer Jean-Luc Dauvergne has published what he calls the most detailed map of Mars from the ground. The photographs were taken at the mountaintop observatory, which is located in the French Pyrenees, over the course of six nights in October and November using a 1-meter telescope. The team then sewed together hundreds of photos to put together this incredible map.

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November 11, 2020

Neuroscientist Makes Playlist of the Happiest Songs According to Science

What is your happy song? According to one Dutch neuroscientist, most happy songs have some distinctive traits in common. Several years ago, Dr. Jacob Jolij—at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands—was asked to examine a list of favorite songs compiled by the UK-based electronica band Alba. Although not a peer reviewed study, his investigation discovered several trends among the given examples of perky music.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.