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Columbia engineers develop pigment-free coating that kept surfaces 6°C cooler under Arizona sun

26/08/2026
Columbia Engineering researchers developed a porous polymer coating that can cool surfaces below the surrounding air temperature without using electricity. The coating replaces conventional white pigments with nano-to-microscale air voids that reflect sunlight and release heat towards the sky. Tests showed the surface stayed about 6°C below ambient temperature in Arizona and 3°C below it in Bangladesh.

Thousands of ancient brains survived for 12,000 years; scientists uncover why

26/08/2026
Recent studies shed light on how some ancient brains manage to endure over time. The availability of oxygen is pivotal in influencing the survival of brain proteins post-mortem. In moist, low-oxygen environments, decomposition favors protein cross-linking, which fortifies these proteins against degradation. This explains the remarkable preservation of certain ancient brains while other bodily tissues succumb to decay.

1,500-year-old child burial unearthed in Peru with whistles, rattle and vessel

26/08/2026
Archaeologists found a 1,500-year-old infant burial in northern Peru. The child was buried with whistles, a rattle, and a sculptural vessel. This burial displays patterns characteristic of the ancient Moche culture. The discovery occurred in a residential area, offering insights into daily life. Excavations continue to expand understanding of the Moche community.

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