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40 years ago, American Airlines introduced the “Golden Ticket”—a lifetime pass for unlimited first-class flights.
For $250,000, customers could purchase the AAirpass, granting them the privilege of flying first-class as often as they wanted, for life. For an additional $150,000, they could get the same pass for a companion.
In 1987, Steve Rothstein bought one of these “golden tickets.” Over the next 20 years, he took 10,000 flights, costing the airline $21 million. His travel record was extraordinary: 500 flights to England, 70 to Australia, and 120 to Japan. Sometimes, he booked tickets under fake names, such as “Bag Rothstein,” if he wasn’t sure who his companion would be. This behavior ultimately led to accusations of misuse, and in 2008, the airline revoked his pass.
By the time American Airlines discontinued the sale of these “golden tickets” in 2004, the price had risen to $3 million.
#science #history #aviation
China has topped the global rankings in IQ testing, securing the first position. Russia claims the 6th spot, while the United States ranks 27th. Among European countries, Ukraine holds the lowest position at 78th place.
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Here’s the true Lord of the Rings!
1SWASP J1407 b is an exoplanet or possibly a small star located in the constellation Centaurus, approximately 433.8 light-years from Earth.
Its ring system is not only the first discovered beyond our Solar System but also the largest ever observed. The radius of its largest ring is estimated at a staggering 90 million kilometers. For comparison, Saturn’s largest ring measures only about 480,000 kilometers in radius.
With a mass roughly 20 times that of Jupiter, scientists are still debating how to classify 1SWASP J1407 b. It might be an extremely large exoplanet or a small star—specifically, a brown dwarf.
#science #space
Earthrise Captured by the Orion Spacecraft
NASA’s Orion spacecraft has delivered an awe-inspiring Earthrise — a mesmerizing short video showing Earth rising above the Moon’s horizon. This visual masterpiece was recorded during the Artemis I mission and serves as a powerful reminder of our planet’s beauty when seen from deep space.
Orion, a key element of NASA’s Artemis program, is paving the way for humanity’s return to the Moon and eventual exploration of Mars. During its 2022 uncrewed mission, it set a record by traveling over 430,000 km from Earth — farther than any spacecraft designed for humans.
#science #space
Did you know?
Most species of bees can only fly during the day. In darkness, they are limited to crawling.
Why? At night, the vast majority of flowers either stop or drastically reduce nectar production. Additionally, bees rely on the Sun for navigation, as their eyes are adapted to perceive polarized light.
A Celebration 2,500 Light-Years from Earth
NASA has unveiled a stunning new image of the “Christmas Tree Cluster,” a group of young stars captured using data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory and an astrophotographer based in Arizona.
The cluster earned its festive name due to its appearance: cone-shaped clouds resemble the branches of an evergreen tree, while the stars—over a thousand times younger than our Sun—shine like holiday ornaments.
#science #stars
Aluminium honeycomb structures take their cue from nature’s perfect hexagonal geometry—lightweight but incredibly strong. By gluing thin aluminium sheets into a honeycomb core, engineers gain excellent crash absorption, corrosion resistance, and an unrivaled strength-to-weight ratio. You’ll find it in aircraft floors and car safety panels, as well as construction and marine applications. It’s a perfect example of how a simple yet ingenious natural design can transform modern engineering.
#science #tech
The beaver’s tail serves multiple purposes—it’s a “rudder” for swimming, a danger signal (beavers slap the water violently with their tails when alarmed), and even a makeshift “stool.” When gnawing on trees near the water, beavers often prop themselves up on their tails while bracing their front paws against the trunk.
But that’s not all—the tail is also an excellent thermoregulator. Its surface is packed with blood vessels that expand in hot weather, allowing blood to flow more easily and cool the animal’s body, which is wrapped in a dense fur coat.
#science #animals
How do you persuade Flat Earth supporters? Take them to Antarctica!
A group of enthusiasts recently spent more than 25 hours creating a time-lapse meant to convince skeptics that the Earth revolves around the Sun—and then they showed it to dedicated Flat Earthers. The result? It appears the skeptics had little choice but to concede.
One of the most outspoken activists, Jeran Campanella, acknowledged that the Earth is round based on the experiment’s findings. However, he soon faced criticism from former allies who doubted the authenticity of the footage, accusing the filmmakers of using special effects or outright falsifying the results.
The debate might continue, but this time-lapse serves as a stark reminder that evidence, especially when gathered so exhaustively, can sway even the staunchest disbelievers.
#science #earth
Alexander Leshchenok, “The Inverted World”. This photograph was taken in the Ergaki Park, located in the southern part of the Krasnoyarsk Krai, in the Western Sayan Mountains, Russia
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Perseverance Reaches the Rim of Jezero Crater
NASA’s Perseverance rover has successfully reached the summit of the Jezero Crater rim. The first photo captures the breathtaking view from the top, while the other two images showcase the rover’s challenging ascent to this milestone.
#science #space
Earth’s Hidden Treasure: 26 Times More Hydrogen than Oil Beneath the Surface
A groundbreaking new study suggests that Earth’s subsurface contains vast reserves of hydrogen—formed through natural geological processes—amounting to at least 5.6 trillion tons. These reserves, estimated to be 26 times larger than known oil deposits, have so far been discovered in only a few regions, such as Albania and Mali.
If even a small percentage of this hydrogen can be extracted, it could provide humanity with thousands of years of environmentally friendly energy, revolutionizing the way we think about sustainable power sources.
This is actually a very interesting video. It might seem that someone is jamming an entire swarm of drones. Perhaps that’s the case, but on the other hand, we’re observing something like a ‘mass carpet attack.’ Just imagine what would happen if these drones were equipped with warheads!
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The Confluence of the Rhône and the Arve Rivers in Geneva
The Rhône River, originating on the slopes of the Aar-Gothard Massif and flowing out of Lake Geneva, is known for its striking turquoise waters.
In contrast, the Arve River, which begins in the Graian Alps, is characterized by grayish, murky tones. These somber hues result from its turbulent flow, which churns up stones, silt, and mud from the riverbed.
A fascinating natural contrast, where two rivers meet, yet their colors remain distinct.
#nature #science
🤖 Robots by Figure are Revolutionizing BMW Assembly Lines
The robotics company Figure has unveiled their humanoid robots in action, training to assist with car assembly at BMW factories. These robots are now four times faster and seven times more precise than the early prototypes.
The plan is for these humanoids to start real work on BMW production lines as early as 2025.
#robots #science
The Sun gazes sternly.
📷 Abdulmohsen Alreesh
#space #science
During World War II, Michelangelo’s famous statue of David was encased in bricks to protect it from bombing raids. Moving the statue to a safer location was deemed technically challenging.
Interestingly, the back of the statue remains unfinished, which is why it stands against a wall and was not intended for 360-degree viewing.
Standing over 5 meters tall, including its pedestal, David was unveiled to the public by Michelangelo in 1504.
#science #history
🎉 Happy New Year, Dear Science Enthusiasts! 🎆
As we step into 2025, we look back on a year filled with remarkable discoveries, groundbreaking research, and endless curiosity. Together, we’ve explored the mysteries of the universe, uncovered the secrets of our planet, and celebrated the brilliance of human ingenuity.
💡 This New Year, let’s continue to push the boundaries of knowledge and ignite the spark of discovery in each of us. Whether you’re an avid reader, a curious learner, or a dedicated researcher, your passion fuels the incredible world of science.
🌍 May 2025 bring us more awe-inspiring breakthroughs, exciting challenges, and opportunities to make a difference through science. Here’s to a year of innovation, collaboration, and wonder!
Stay curious, stay inspired, and thank you for being part of our growing community. 🚀
With warm wishes,
Your @Science Channel Team
🤖 Competition Drives ChatGPT to Cheat?
Researchers at Palisade Research set OpenAI’s neural network, o1, to play chess against the AI grandmaster, Stockfish. Realizing its opponent’s overwhelming strength, the model decided not to play fair.
Instead, o1 found a way to manipulate game files, inflating its score by 500 points to secure “victories.” Faced with the rigged score, Stockfish simply resigned.
#AI
The Parker Solar Probe Survives Record-Breaking Encounter with the Sun
The Parker Solar Probe, enduring temperatures of up to 980°C, has successfully reestablished communication with Earth.
On December 24, the spacecraft set two remarkable records: it achieved the closest-ever approach to the Sun, at just 6.1 million kilometers, and the highest speed ever reached by a human-made object, a staggering 692,000 km/h.
During this daring mission, Parker faced extreme conditions, with its systems subjected to intense solar heat. Communication with the probe was briefly interrupted, leaving its status uncertain.
Late on December 26 (Eastern European Time), the mission control team at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory received a “beacon tone,” confirming that the spacecraft is safe and fully operational. Detailed telemetry about Parker’s condition is expected by January 1.
In the Verkhoyansk district of northern Yakutia, Russia, the remains of a baby mammoth have been unearthed with a preservation quality rarely seen. Estimated to be around 50,000 years old, this discovery marks only the seventh instance of such well-preserved mammoth remains in the world.
The female mammoth, nicknamed “Yana” after the nearby Yana River, was found in June this year near the Batagayka area. While her exact age at the time of death remains uncertain, researchers estimate she was about a year old or slightly older. Measuring 120 cm at the shoulder and less than 2 meters in length, Yana provides a fascinating glimpse into the Ice Age ecosystem.
Did you know that at temperatures below –40°C, snowflakes form as hexagonal columns?
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They’re not ants—they’re tiny robots! Scientists in South Korea have developed entire swarms of miniature magnetic robots that work together like ants, even lifting objects several times their own size.
Each microrobot measures around 600 micrometers and is made of an epoxy body embedded with neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) particles, allowing the swarm to be guided by magnetic fields. Thanks to this setup, these robots can accomplish complex tasks in challenging environments—such as performing minimally invasive procedures on clogged arteries (as demonstrated in the video).
“Although the research results are promising, the swarms will need a higher degree of autonomy before they are ready for real-world applications. Magnetic microrobot swarms require external magnetic control and cannot autonomously navigate complicated or enclosed spaces like actual arteries. Future studies will focus on enhancing microrobot swarm autonomy, for example by controlling their movements and trajectories with real-time feedback,” says Professor Jeon Jae Wi from the Department of Organic and Nano Engineering at Hanyang University (Seoul, South Korea).
#science #robots
🥇 First Baby Born Using Revolutionary IVF Technology Developed by Gameto
In a groundbreaking milestone, Peru has welcomed the first baby born using a novel IVF technology. The method, pioneered by the biotech startup Gameto, enables egg maturation and fertilization entirely outside the mother’s body.
Unlike traditional IVF, which involves extensive hormonal injections to stimulate egg development, Gameto’s approach allows initial egg maturation in a laboratory setting before reimplantation. This significantly reduces the need for hormonal treatments and, according to the company, minimizes associated risks.
Dr. Pavel Bazanov, Medical Director of Eco Family Clinic, shares his perspective on this innovation:
“The emergence of any new method is always welcome as it broadens our arsenal in combating infertility—a condition with epidemic significance according to WHO, affecting millions worldwide. The key consideration is the safety of this method and the health of children born through it. If proven safe with no adverse effects on children, this technology could drastically reduce the physical burden on patients—a highly positive development. Moreover, it may enable successful pregnancies in cases where we were previously powerless.”
Currently, Gameto’s technology is only available experimentally in Australia, Japan, and four Latin American countries. New Atlas reports that the company is preparing for Phase III clinical trials in the U.S. However, no estimates for the service’s eventual cost have been disclosed.
This innovative approach has the potential to replace conventional IVF, which, despite being effective, still places a significant hormonal burden on women. If widely adopted, it could transform fertility treatments globally.
@science
New Findings from Io: The Mystery of Jupiter’s Volcanic Moon
Recent data from NASA’s Juno mission reveal that Io, Jupiter’s volcanic moon, does not have a shallow global magma ocean as previously speculated. This discovery reignites debates about the source of the intense volcanic activity on the most geologically active body in the Solar System, home to hundreds of erupting volcanoes.
For years, scientists hypothesized that Io’s volcanism was driven by a partially molten interior, possibly featuring a shallow magma ocean within 50 kilometers of the surface. However, Juno’s findings suggest otherwise. While the possibility of a deep magma ocean cannot be ruled out, its existence raises new questions: how could such a feature persist over geological timescales and sustain the observed eruptions?
If Io does harbor a deep magma ocean, it might resemble Earth’s or Mars’ basal magma oceans. However, Io’s unique geophysical conditions complicate this analogy. A deep mantle melt on Io would likely be less dense than the surrounding mantle and naturally rise. Conversely, if the melt is denser due to high iron content, it is unclear how it could reach the surface to fuel eruptions.
One emerging theory is that Io’s mantle is heterogeneous, containing both deep magma reservoirs and lighter, buoyant melts capable of rising to the surface. This dynamic interplay between deep and shallow processes could explain the moon’s dramatic and persistent volcanic activity.
The mystery of Io’s volcanic energy continues to challenge our understanding of planetary geology, offering a fascinating glimpse into the extreme conditions of the outer Solar System.
The Pazyryk Carpet: The Oldest Known Pile Carpet
The Pazyryk Carpet is the world’s oldest surviving pile carpet. It was discovered in 1949 during the excavation of the Fifth Pazyryk Burial Mound in the Altai Mountains by an expedition from the Institute of Archaeology of the USSR Academy of Sciences.
The dating of the carpet remains debated, with estimates ranging widely from the late 6th to the 2nd century BCE.
Its origins are equally uncertain. Scholars propose various possibilities, suggesting it may have been woven by Persians, Parthians, Medes, Urartians, early Armenians, or even Scythians.
#science #history
Saturn Through the Years!
The tilt of Saturn and its rings constantly changes from our perspective due to the relative positions of Earth and Saturn in their orbits. This phenomenon is beautifully captured in this series of images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope.
Witness the dynamic elegance of the ringed planet as it reveals different aspects of its celestial dance!
#space #science
Think tattoos always boost attractiveness? A new German study from Helmut Schmidt University suggests otherwise. After showing 487 adults the same faces—clean, lightly inked, heavily tattooed, and even facially tattooed—participants consistently rated the non-tattooed versions as more appealing. Surprisingly, even professional tattoo artists agreed.
It’s a fresh reminder that our perception of beauty is more complicated than we think. Share this post if it changed the way you see body art!
#science #tattoo
Google’s quantum chip, Willow, solved in just 5 minutes a problem that would have taken the most powerful supercomputer 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 years.
To put it in perspective, that’s longer than the age of the universe itself.
What makes Willow truly groundbreaking is its ability to reduce errors as it scales—a feat that took 30 years of research to achieve. The chip also boasts a record-breaking 105 qubits, setting a new standard in quantum computing.
But that’s not all. Willow will also be used to train neural networks, pushing the boundaries of AI even further. The entire tech industry is in awe, and IT giants, including OpenAI, are congratulating Google on this monumental achievement.
The future is here. And it’s quantum.
#science #quantum
Biomimetic Robots: The Future Is Here, Straight Out of “Westworld”
Meet Clone Alpha, the world’s first humanoid robot with biomimetic architecture. Equipped with synthetic organs and artificial muscles powered by water, this innovation brings us a step closer to the sci-fi visions of “Westworld.”
🔬 What is Biomimetic Architecture?
The term “biomimetic” refers to mimicking human biological systems. Here’s what makes Clone Alpha revolutionary:
• Artificial Muscles (Myofibers): These water-powered muscles contract by up to 30% in less than 50 milliseconds, generating a kilogram of force from just 3 grams of material.
• Polymer Skeleton: Mimicking the human body with 206 bone-like components, connected by joints and ligaments, all supported by a hydraulic vascular system driven by a compact 0.5-kilowatt pump.
• Cybernetic Nervous System: Using “Cybernet” technology, Clone Alpha features a visual-motor system with four depth cameras for precise environmental tracking.
These features enable unmatched speed, precision, and agility, making the android’s movements indistinguishable from those of humans.
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
While Clone Alpha remains classified and has not yet been unveiled to the public, some details have been leaked:
• The biomimetic hand has been showcased, demonstrating dexterity by lifting a 7-kilogram dumbbell with ease (Watch the demo here).
• Orders are already being taken for the first 300 units, set to be delivered in early 2025. Pricing details remain speculative.
Why It Matters
A year ago, the idea of androids with such biomimetic architecture seemed like Hollywood fiction. Today, it’s on the brink of becoming reality. If Clone Alpha lives up to its promises, we could see projects akin to “Westworld” emerging as early as 2025.
Want to explore more? Check out Clone Robotics’ official pages:
• Clone Robotics Hand
• Clone Robotics Android
The countdown to the android revolution has begun! 🦾
#science #robotics