Science
A computer that thinks for itself has mastered the world’s most difficult game with no human input, scientists have revealed
A computer that thinks for itself has mastered the world's most difficult game with no human input, scientists have revealed. The Artificial Intelligence computer program taught itself the game, and scientists claim the breakthrough is a gamechanger with all sorts of applications. Deep Mind's updated AlphaGo algorithm defeated its predecessor by 100-nil - which in turn had been too good for Go champion Lee Sedol last year. Go is a 3,000 year-old Chinese game and has trillions of possible moves...
The remains of the oil gland used by a bird to preen itself nearly 50 million years ago has been discovered
A new species of bird that lived in Germany almost 50 million years ago has been discovered - complete with the waxy oils it used to colour its feathers. The fossil was so extraordinarily well-preserved its preen gland - found in the tail of our modern feathered friends - was still intact. Most birds use their heads to rub protective oils from this gland over their feathers, legs and feet. Flamingos in the wild even use pigments from these fatty...
Small fanged kangaroo once roamed rainforests of northern Australia
A small fanged kangaroo that once roamed rainforests that covered northern Australia lived longer than previously thought. The long toothed creature the size of a wallaby lived at least five million years longer than previously thought. Despite its fearsome canines the fangaroo was a plant eater, did not hop like modern roos and its teeth were just for show to attract mates. They were thought to have gone extinct about 15 million years ago because of climate change. But new...
Rings discovered on a tiny planet past Neptune
A tiny planet that orbits the Sun beyond Neptune has a Saturn-style ring, it has been revealed. Astronomers say the discovery suggests the stunning bands made up of dust, rocks and ice are not as rare in our solar system as previously thought. They used observations from 12 ground-based telescopes across Europe to measure Haumea's size, shape and density with unprecedented accuracy. The mysterious icy world was only discovered in 2004. It's the first time a ring has been spotted...
Mammal that lived through the biggest extinction in Earth’s history may hold the key to saving the planet
A tubby, tusked mammal that survived the biggest extinction in Earth's history may hold the key to saving the planet, according to new research. Lystrosaurus lived through the 'Great Dying' at the end of the Permian about 252 million years ago which wiped out 70 per cent of land living vertebrates. This drastic loss of biodiversity led to global 'disaster faunas' dominated by a small number of species, say scientists. One of those still standing was Lystrosaurus, an early relative...
VOLCANO ON MARS – They grew a thousand times slower than those on Earth
Volcanoes on Mars grew a thousand times slower than those on Earth, according to new research. Scottish scientists have reconstructed the evolution of a volcano on Mars for the first time using space rocks that fell to Earth. Analysis of the meteorites from the Red Planet uncovered more than 90 million years of information about the supersized mountains - and identified from which volcano they came from. Martian volcanoes - including Olympus Mons which is over 13 miles high and...
Jurassic era beast dubbed the ‘Melksham Monster’ inhabited the seas around Britain
A sea crocodile dubbed the 'Melksham Monster' was terrorising the shallow waters off Britain 163 million years ago, according to scientists. The apex predator, with powerful jaws and huge, razor-sharp teeth roamed the prehistoric ocean around Britain in the Jurassic era. The beast - dug up in Wiltshire - was 10 feet long from snout to tail and inhabited the warm, shallow waters that covered the country at that time. It was one of the most terrifying marine reptiles that...
Traces of life found in 4 billion year old rocks
Life on Earth really did begin around 4 billion years ago - increasing the chances it could be abundant throughout the universe, according to new research. Evidence of living organisms has been found in Canadian rocks dating back 3.95 billion years. They represent some of the earliest known life following a similar discovery in Australia two years ago in even older sediment going back 4.1 billion years. The latest finding published in Nature adds to evidence life began a remarkably...
10 amazing Musk ideas that will change the world forever
SpaceX, PayPal and Tesla Motors. Is there anybody’s name that comes to your mind? Well, the name of this intelligent and successful person should have popped up straight away! Yes, Elon Musk! With already great success with Tesla, here are many more ideas from this genius which could work out in the future. Space tourism Ever wanted to see the moon close up? Space X will be undergoing an unmanned test this year and 2 lucky tourists could be...