All articles tagged with #crystals
Enculturated chimpanzees at a Madrid sanctuary repeatedly preferred crystals over ordinary rocks, inspecting their transparency and shape, and even sorting them into groups. The behavior mirrors perceptual biases that may have guided early human cognition toward recognizing symmetry and Euclidean form, potentially influencing the development of symbolic thought—though the study is small and requires replication in wild apes.
Encultured chimpanzees showed a strong attraction to quartz crystals, preferring them over ordinary rocks, carrying crystals to sleeping areas, and even selecting crystals from a pile in tests, suggesting a possible deep evolutionary pull toward shiny minerals. The findings could shed light on why humans have long valued crystals and gems, hinting at cognitive roots for value, though results must be interpreted cautiously since the chimps were not wild and replication in wild populations is needed.
Mexico's Cave of Crystals in Chihuahua lies about 300 metres underground and holds gypsum crystals up to 11 metres long, earning it the nickname 'Sistine Chapel of crystals.' The cave formed as mineral-rich groundwater rose through rock after magma heated the area, stabilising at around 58°C, but with 90% humidity, making it deadly to explore without specialist equipment.
Researchers at a Spanish chimpanzee sanctuary handed quartz crystals to two groups of rescued chimps; the apes showed strong interest—dragging, examining, and even trading bananas or yogurt to recover the largest crystal—while others sorted crystals by type. García-Ruiz suggests chimps’ attraction to crystals may stem from their Euclidean geometry, hinting at ancient cognitive roots shared with humans.
Researchers tested nine chimpanzees at a Spanish rehab center, offering crystals and ordinary stones and observing that chimps distinguished crystals and showed varying levels of attraction, with individuals like Toti and especially Sandy displaying the strongest engagement. The study highlights a “crystal allure” in chimps, fueling playful speculation about which chimp could become a symbolic “crystal healer,” while noting the findings are exploratory and tied to broader debates about human-crystal fascination.
Two well-preserved fossilized dinosaur eggs with internal crystal formations were discovered in China's Anhui province, attributed to a new oospecies, Shixingoolithus qianshanensis, highlighting the region's rich paleontological record and the preservation of ancient nesting sites.
Scientists have developed a novel laser-based technique to 'draw' crystals precisely where needed in electronic devices using plasmonic heating of gold nanoparticles, potentially reducing costs and improving performance in applications like solar cells and sensors.
Scientists have discovered that on Saturn's moon Titan, polar and non-polar molecules like hydrogen cyanide and hydrocarbons can form stable co-crystals at extremely cold temperatures, challenging traditional chemical rules and suggesting complex interactions in Titan's lakes that could influence its geology and potential prebiotic chemistry.
A semiconductor wafer with crystals grown aboard the International Space Station was imaged under a microscope, demonstrating the potential of microgravity to improve the quality of semimetal-semiconductor crystals for electronic devices, addressing challenges faced on Earth in producing pure, uniform crystals.
The article predicts that the Kirby: Star-Crossed World DLC will reveal new lore involving crystals and star characters called Starries, who may be responsible for sealing away evil entities like Void Termina and Galacta Knight, with hints suggesting possible appearances or references to these characters.
A new study reveals that 'space ice' contains tiny crystals and is not fully amorphous as previously thought, which has implications for understanding cosmic processes and the origins of life. The research shows that low-density amorphous ice in space includes embedded crystalline structures, challenging earlier assumptions and opening new questions about the nature of amorphous materials.
Researchers have solved a 120-year-old mystery regarding the compound acetaldehyde phenylhydrazone, which exhibits two distinct melting points. The phenomenon is due to a minuscule contamination that causes the compound to form two different liquid structures upon melting, depending on exposure to acid or base. This results in the compound having a lower melting point when exposed to acid, which acts as a catalyst for isomer conversion. The study highlights the compound's sensitivity to acid and the role of isomer configurations in its melting behavior.
A new study of the world's oldest zircon crystals from the Jack Hills in Western Australia reveals that Earth had both oceans and freshwater lakes as early as 4 billion years ago. This discovery suggests that the early Earth had conditions suitable for the formation of life, with evidence of both fresh and salty water exposure in the zircons. The findings challenge previous theories and indicate that the planet was more similar to today's Earth than previously thought. The study is published in Nature Geoscience.
Researchers at New York University have developed a technique called "Crystal Clear" that allows scientists to visualize the internal structure of colloidal crystals in three dimensions. Using transparent particles, dye molecules, and confocal microscopy, they can create dynamic models to study the arrangement and defects within crystals, providing new insights into crystallization processes and potentially aiding in the development of better materials.
Scientists have developed the first mineral-based treatment for hyperkalemia, a widespread disease affecting millions worldwide, using the structure of crystals. The treatment, based on the crystal structure of cubic zirconium silicate, allows patients to flush out excess potassium through ion transfer, offering a potentially safer and more durable alternative to existing medications with harmful side effects and dietary restrictions. This breakthrough opens the door to more advanced mineral-based treatments for various illnesses in the future.