Thelasko shares a report from the BBC: Bitcoin uses more electricity annually than the whole of Argentina, analysis by Cambridge University suggests. ‘Mining’ for the cryptocurrency is power-hungry, involving heavy computer calculations to verify transactions. Cambridge researchers say it consumes around 121.36 terawatt-hours (TWh) a year — and is unlikely to fall unless the value of the currency slumps. Critics say…
Tag: Cambridge University
What is a supernova?
A supernova is a star’s colossal explosion at the end of its life, potentially outshining its entire galaxy. Read about the causes and types of supernovae here. Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/definition-what-is-a-supernova…
Has microbial life been found on Venus?
Is there microbial life in the atmosphere of Earth’s closest neighbor, Venus? An international team of astronomers has found tentative but highly compelling evidence. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/life-on-venus-phosphine-biosignatures…
Enigma Code-Breaking Machine Rebuilt At Cambridge
Cambridge Engineering alumnus Hal Evans has built a fully-functioning replica of a 1930s Polish cyclometer — an electromechanical cryptologic device that was designed to assist in the decryption of German Enigma ciphertext. The replica currently resides in King’s College, Cambridge. TechXplore reports: Work on the hardware-based replica began in 2018, as part of Hal’s fourth year Master’s project under the supervision…
Mystery big cat sparks fresh ‘Fen Tiger’ rumors
A Cambridge University worker has photographed a large wildcat with ‘big claws’ in his garden. The creature, which was spotted on Saturday, April 11th… Source: https://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/news/336294/mystery-big-cat-sparks-fresh-fen-tiger-rumors…
Wonderchicken fossil casts new light on bird evolution
The oldest known bird fossil, from the age of dinosaurs, has skull features similar to modern chickens. The scientists who found it have nicknamed it “Wonderchicken.” It’s providing valuable insights into the evolution of birds. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/wonderchicken-oldest-fossil-modern-bird…
Could K2-18b be habitable after all?
A new study by researchers at Cambridge University suggests that the giant exoplanet K2-18b – a mini-Neptune – may be more potentially habitable than previously thought. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/k2-18b-mini-neptune-exoplanets-habitability…
New Neanderthal bones found at famous Shanidar Cave
The newly found bones were close to the site of the famous ‘flower burial’ in Shanidar Cave, which overturned notions of Neanderthals as brutish subhumans and suggested they buried their dead. Source: https://earthsky.org/human-world/new_neanderthal_bones_shanidar_cave…
What is astrophysics?
Observational astronomy and astrophysics work together to further our understanding of the cosmos. Astrophysicists apply the laws of physics and physical theories to interpret the light gathered by observational astronomers. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/definition-what-is-astrophysics…
Scientists develop tomographic method to visualize state of ‘solitary’ electrons
Scientists at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), working with the University of Latvia, the University of Berlin, Cambridge University and University College London, have developed a tomographic method to visualize the state of solitary electrons emitted from electron pumps. …