As impressive as the highest peaks on Earth are, they barely compare to the tallest mountains in our solar system. Namely, Olympus Mons is a giant volcano on Mars that towers 16 miles above the neighboring plains and stretches 374 miles. It is so broad that it doesn’t look like a typical mountain found on Earth. If you were standing on it, it would simply appear like a soft slope. To better understand how tall it is, Olympus Mons is three times as high as Mount Everest (5.5 miles) roughly the same size as the state of Arizona, and as wide as France. It is even much bigger than Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, the tallest volcano on Earth, which rises 6.3 miles above the sea floor (and 2.6 miles above sea level).

Located in the Tharsis Montes region near the Martian equator, Olympus Mons is a shield volcano. This means that rather than fiercely ejecting molten material, it was created by lava slowly flowing down its sides. Due to this, the mountain has an almost flat appearance, with an average slope of only 2º to 5º. Olympus Mons’ shape results from many thousands of highly fluid, basaltic lava flows. At its summit, there is a 53-mile diameter crater, or caldera, comprising several mutually intersecting craters. Its size has long been attributed to the stability of the Martian crust and to a long accumulation time, possibly having taken billions of years to form. However, some mountain regions may be only a few million years old. This indicates a chance that it’s still an active volcano that could erupt at some point. Scientists think it could have stayed volcanically active for hundreds of millions of years, meaning it’s been active far longer than any volcano on Earth.

Emily Starobrat, a Los Angeles-based artist and fashion designer, has revolutionized the concept of wearable art through her brand, Denem. By transforming denim into intricate, personalized masterpieces, she uses a rotary tool to carve her unique designs into the fabric. This technique, which she developed after discovering a passion for textiles at Parsons School of Design, allows her to blend fine art with fashion. Inspired by her grandmother and the nostalgic culture of early 2000s Los Angeles, her designs feature motifs like tigers, florals, and embroidery patterns reminiscent of objects from her childhood. Her deeply personal and evocative creations have garnered international attention and a growing list of celebrity clients.

Starobrat’s process of sanding and drawing on denim not only showcases her artistic skills but also highlights her commitment to sustainability. She repurposes fabric scraps to create new pieces and releases her collections in small batches to minimize environmental impact. Her innovative approach extends to her design details, playing with proportions and using fabric markers to add color, creating bold, eye-catching garments that evolve with wear. By including more affordable items like tote bags and t-shirts in her collection, she makes her art accessible to a broader audience. Followers can keep up with her latest works on social media, where she shares her creative journey and the meticulous process behind each handcrafted piece.

Crows are incredibly intelligent animals. Scientifically known as the genus Corvus, with many subsidiary species around the globe, these birds frequently impress scientists and amateur bird watchers alike with their brilliance. One rescued crow visited his savior every day to sip coffee, while researchers have uncovered crows’ understanding of water level displacement. They can play ball and solve puzzles. While it has long been known that crows can count and even understand the concept of zero, it now appears crows can count out loud. This shocking ability to vocalize numbers was announced in a paper in Science. To investigate whether crows can count out loud, researchers under Diana Liao chose three carrion crows to experiment with. They trained these clever birds to vocalize in response to distinct random noises. Hearing each one, the bird learned to associate that noise with a certain number of caws. The team was trying to replicate the counting out loud that young toddlers do before fully grasping numbers—pointing at objects and calling them out in succession. Even if the numbers they say are wrong, the total number of vocalizations is correct. However, the researchers became concerned that the crows were just gaming the vocalizations for treats without truly “counting.”

Instead, they combined the triggers—noise and visual—with a button. After making the correct number of vocalizations, the crow had to decide when it was done and “submit” its answer to check if it got a treat. The crows did shockingly well, counting their caws to get the right number for each trigger. They mostly got it right, and their errors were only one-offs mostly. “We show that crows can count vocally, which mirrors this important developmental stage in toddlers,” Liao told NPR. Pauses before responses were longer for longer series of vocalizations, which the team hypothesizes might be the bird taking a beat to plan its response. The ability of crows to verbally tally and control the numbers they vocalize is the first instance of this ability demonstrated outside of humans, a shocking discovery and another feather in the cap of a brilliant bird.

This pocket-friendly home in Almaty, Kazakhstan, designed by BM Partners and 3D-printed using COBOD’s BOD2 model, stands as a pioneering achievement in Central Asia, being the region’s first 3D-printed house. Constructed to endure the extreme weather conditions and seismic activities common in the area, this innovative dwelling demonstrates the resilience and versatility of 3D-printed architecture. Remarkably, the house can be Continue reading “This Pocket-Friendly Home in Kazakhstan Is 3D-Printed in Just Five Days” »

Ethan Liebross, a 24-year-old first-year medical student, chose an unconventional lifestyle to simplify his life and enhance his personal growth. Opting out of typical student housing, Liebross bought a 2015 Ford Transit for $20,000 and spent $13,460 converting it into a fully functional, mobile tiny home. Liebross’ van, equipped with solar panels, a kitchenette, and a memory foam mattress, embodies minimalism. Living in the van, Liebross embraces simplicity, believing that it fosters discipline, creativity, and a greater appreciation for life’s small pleasures. His daily routine includes biking to campus, using gym facilities for showers, and cooking meals in his compact kitchen.

Liebross’ decision was influenced by his gap year experience, during which he lived in a smaller van while working as a freelance writer. His current setup is a significant upgrade, providing better sleeping arrangements and a more sustainable lifestyle. Despite the challenges of converting the van within a tight timeframe, Liebross found the process rewarding, especially as it involved working closely with his supportive father. The financial savings are substantial; compared to the high cost of campus housing, Liebross’ van life is a cost-effective alternative. Moreover, he views this lifestyle as preparation for his medical career, teaching him to live minimally and focus on what truly matters.

Mullagrach Island, the most northerly of Scotland’s Summer Isles, has been put on the market for £500,000, offering the ultimate remote getaway. This secluded island spans 88.7 acres, featuring lush greenery, beaches, cliffs, and caves perfect for exploration. Located two hours from Inverness and a 35-minute boat ride from the mainland, it provides an unparalleled escape from modern life. Marketed by Galbraith in the Highland capital, the island was purchased 18 years ago Continue reading “The Ultimate Getaway: Remote Scots Island With a Tiny Log Cabin is Put on the Market for £500,000” »

In a transformative initiative, former nuclear weapons sites in the United States are being repurposed to host solar farms, aiming to generate clean energy for thousands of homes. This is part of the “Cleanup to Clean Energy” program by the Department of Energy, which seeks to utilize land previously designated for the development and storage of nuclear weapons for sustainable energy production. The Idaho National Laboratory (INL), a key participant in this program, is set to host Continue reading “US Puts Solar Panels on Old Nuclear Weapons Sites for Powering 70,000 Homes” »

James Kane and Barbi Agostini, magnet fishing enthusiasts from Queens, New York, reeled in an unexpected windfall when they discovered a safe filled with an estimated $80,000 while fishing in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Kane, 40, and Agostini, 39, had taken up the hobby during the pandemic and were stunned by the stacks of hundred-dollar bills inside the muddy lockbox. Kane immediately sensed their lives were about to change dramatically. The couple, who share their magnet fishing adventures on social media, initially couldn’t believe their luck, especially Agostini, who rarely considered herself fortunate in games of chance.

After the discovery, Kane and Agostini promptly informed the New York City police, who evaluated the situation and determined that the disintegrated condition of the currency made it difficult to ascertain its value and authenticity. Despite this, the couple was allowed to keep the money, and they plan to take the bills to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C., for restoration, a process that could take years. They estimate the haul to be between $40,000 and $80,000, with hopes of salvaging around $60,000. Beyond their significant find, the couple’s magnet fishing ventures across New York’s boroughs have yielded a range of items, from firearms to a racing motorcycle, which they have responsibly turned over to the authorities. Their incredible find has them dreaming of a future property filled with animals and open space, a far cry from their city-based adventures.

LEGO has unveiled a stunning 1506-piece replica of the iconic Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole, designed to capture the essence and detail of the original supercar. This meticulously crafted model features all the hallmarks of the legendary 1980s vehicle, including the distinctive scissor doors, a massive rear spoiler, and an openable hood and trunk that reveal a proportionally accurate V12 engine. The attention to detail extends to the interior, with a detailed cockpit, deep-dish rims, expansive taillights, and a sleek rear spoiler, ensuring that this LEGO build is as close to the real thing as possible. It stands as a testament to LEGO’s commitment to creating authentic and captivating replicas, making it an impressive display piece for any car enthusiast’s home or office.

Beyond its visual appeal, the LEGO Lamborghini Countach offers an engaging building experience, allowing builders to explore the car’s intricate inner workings. The model features a working steering wheel and opening components that provide access to the detailed engine compartment, showcasing the powerful V12 engine replicated in LEGO form. Measuring over 3.5 inches high, 13 inches long, and 6.5 inches wide, the finished model is a substantial and eye-catching centerpiece. Additionally, the set includes digital building instructions available through the LEGO Builder app, offering an interactive and alternative way to follow the construction process. Priced at $179.99, this impressive LEGO set will be available online and in stores starting July 4th, making it a must-have for both LEGO fans and automotive aficionados.