julio 2025 - Página 14 de 55 -

Earth is spinning faster, leading timekeepers to consider an unprecedented move

21 Jul

Timekeepers face unprecedented choices as Earth’s rotation speeds up

Camila RojasCiencia y Tecnología

The planet’s natural rhythm is changing—and timekeepers around the world are watching closely. Earth is rotating faster than it used to, prompting scientists and international timekeeping authorities to consider an adjustment that has never been made before: subtracting a second from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).This potential step, known as a "negative leap second," would mark a first in human history. While leap seconds have been added to synchronize clocks with Earth’s slightly irregular rotation, the idea of taking one away introduces complex challenges to technology, communications, and global systems that rely on precise timing.For decades, timekeeping has accounted for the…

Medieval knight’s complete skeleton discovered beneath Polish ice cream parlor

21 Jul

Discovery of medieval knight’s remains beneath Polish ice cream parlor

Camila RojasCiencia y Tecnología

A remarkable archaeological discovery has come to light in the heart of Poland, where the remains of a medieval knight were found beneath the site of what was once a popular ice cream parlor. This unexpected find has sparked intrigue among historians and local residents alike, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s layered past and its connection to feudal Europe.The uncovering took place amid regular renovation efforts in a town celebrated for its historic buildings and lively market scene. While laborers excavated beneath the edifice, they stumbled upon a stone sarcophagus lying far beneath the contemporary base. Further investigation…

Alcohol use is up among women — and health consequences have followed

21 Jul

Alcohol use climbs among women — and health issues are on the rise

Camila RojasSalud

Across the United States, alcohol use among women has increased significantly in recent years, prompting growing concern over the health implications. Once generally consuming less than men, women’s drinking habits have not only caught up in frequency, but also pose greater biological risks—even at lower levels of intake. This trend is especially notable among women in their 30s and 40s, who have increased binge drinking and reported more symptoms of alcohol use disorders than previous generations.Various factors seem to be contributing to this increase. There have been shifts in societal norms; women are now more inclined to postpone marriage and…

U.S.-funded contraceptives for poor nations to be burned in France, sources say

21 Jul

U.S.-funded birth control for poor countries will be incinerated in France, sources say

Camila RojasSalud

A large shipment of U.S.-funded contraceptives, valued at nearly $10 million and initially intended to support family planning efforts in low-income countries, is now slated for destruction in a medical waste facility in France. The decision comes after months of political and logistical gridlock that left the supplies—ranging from birth control pills to long-acting reversible contraceptives like implants and intrauterine devices—stranded in a European warehouse.The birth control supplies, acquired via an American foreign aid initiative aimed at enhancing worldwide access to reproductive health, became entangled in the aftermath of policy modifications subsequent to a change in U.S. administration. The current…

The U.S. fertility rate reached a new low in 2024, CDC data shows

21 Jul

U.S. fertility rate in 2024 at its lowest point, CDC data shows

Camila RojasSalud

The United States continues to see a steady decline in its fertility rate, reaching its lowest point in decades by 2024. This ongoing trend, reflective of broader societal shifts, highlights how economic pressures, cultural transformations, and changing personal priorities are reshaping the landscape of family planning across the country.Recent demographic data shows that the average number of children born per woman has dropped to levels well below what is considered necessary to sustain the population. This metric, often referred to as the total fertility rate, is a key indicator used to understand population dynamics and long-term societal trends. The latest…