Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland say small cylinders made out of clay have the oldest known alphabetic text engraved on them. The finger-length cylinders were found at Tell Umm-el Marra, a former city located in today's northwestern Syria , once a bustling crossroads for two trade routes. Carbon dating techniques reveal that the objects date back 4,400 years to 2400 BC - preceding any other known alphabetic scripts by roughly 500 years.
Mind-boggling optical illusion tricks your brain into thinking these faces are different colours - but they're actually identical
The illusion has gone viral across social media, and feaures two cartoon faces. So, what colour do you think the faces are? Your initial reaction is probably that the face on the left is white, while the face on the right is black. However, when they're placed together, you'll find that the two faces are actually identical shades of grey.
Mysterious 'orb' spotted above NYC just days after Pentagon revealed near-miss between plane and UFO over Big Apple
A mysterious 'orb' was spotted soaring over New York City's Hudson River. The footage was part of a morning news broadcast that was aired on Monday. The video showed a fast-moving ball of light starting from Hoboken , New Jersey and swooping around before reaching the World Trade Center before vanishing.
Mysterious signal heard minutes before the most powerful eruption of our time
This mysterious sudden movement of Earth's crust sent vibrations through the seafloor that were picked up by distant earthquake monitoring stations 15 minutes before the historic blast - which put out the energetic equivalent of 61 megatons of TNT. Now a team with Japan's Earthquake Research Institute has analyzed this tell-tale, early 'seismic wave,' which they hope can one day help predict future eruptions to aid the public and emergency first responders
Revealed: How to tell if your phone is eavesdropping on your conversations
If you've ever got an advert on social media for something you were just talking about, it might be more than an uncanny coincidence. Thanks to virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, your smartphone isconstantly listening to everything you say. Worryingly, as long as you have consented to the terms and conditions, there is nothing illegal about using that data to bombard you with hyper-specific adverts. Luckily, experts at NordVPN have devised a simple test to work out if your phone is really eavesdropping on your conversations.
- World's oldest ALPHABET is discovered: Ancient 4,400-year-old text is found on clay cylinders from a tomb in Syria - and it upends everything we thought we knew about the origin of writing
- Alarming satellite image shows China's $9bn secret warship doing military tests in Pacific amid WWIII fears
- NASA offers $3 million in cash prizes to solve a problem that is not rocket science
- I'm a therapist... here are five hidden signs you suffered childhood trauma and don't know it
- Lab-grown human brains could help cure world's top killer disease
- AI artist creates 'realistic' image of what Mary looked like before giving birth to Jesus
- Mind-boggling optical illusion tricks your brain into thinking these faces are different colours - but they're actually identical
- How a lucky Scottish clansman narrowly avoided the Glencoe Massacre: Bronze pin sheds new light on MacDonald of Achnacon's daring escape during the 1692 atrocity
- Apple fans call for high-end device to be recalled over 'fatal flaw'
- The fastest-moving stars in the galaxy may be piloted by intelligent ALIENS, study claims
- Scientists reveal exactly how much money you could save by going vegan
- Mysterious 'orb' spotted over New York City days after Pentagon revealed near-miss between plane and UFO
- Astronomers give a terrifying glimpse into how Earth could end - as they spot two massive galaxies colliding at 2 million mph
- iPhone users say Apple's iOS 18.1.1 update is RUINING their battery life - here's what to do if your device is affected
- BPA-free water bottles linked to fertility issues after being touted as 'safer' alternative
- Bomb cyclone leaves mangled cars and decimated homes in its wake after ripping through Washington and killing two
- Mysterious signal heard minutes before the most powerful eruption ever recorded
- Revealed: The 7 most astonishing pieces of evidence that Jesus left behind
- Secret travel hack to avoid the dreaded middle seat on an airplane without paying extra
- Is 35 really the hardest age? Scientists say Tom Hanks' claims are WRONG - as they reveal which year is actually the trickiest
- MOST READ IN DETAIL
-
Watch video
World's most advanced humanoid says 'humans have nothing to fear'
-
Watch video
Animation explains NASA 's asteroid-deflecting mission
-
Watch video
Hubble telescope captures stunning spiraling star formation
-
Watch video
Palaeontologists identify a previously unknown dinosaur species
-
Watch video
Ancient Dead Sea scroll turns up over 6,000 miles away in USA
-
Watch video
Explainer: What is fracking?
-
Watch video
Apple unveils new state-of-the-art $799 iPhone 14
-
Watch video
Ultra-rare porbeagle sharks are spotted 'dueling' for a mate
-
Watch video
Breast-checking device builds map of torso to monitor lumps
-
Watch video
Cyborg cockroaches are now a reality, with batteries on their backs
Scientists take the first EVER close-up picture of a star outside our galaxy - and it looks just like the Eye of Sauron
Scientists have taken the first ever close-up image of a star outside our own galaxy - and some fantasy fans might find it strikingly familiar. The 'Behemoth Star' WOH G64 is located a staggering 160,000 light-years from Earth in a neighbouring galaxy called the Large Magellanic Cloud. Although scientists have known about this star for decades, it is only now that technological advances have made it possible to see it up close.
Bless me, Father, for AI have sinned: Church in Switzerland is using an AI-powered Jesus hologram to take confession
Some modern technologies may seem miraculous, but never has that been quite so literal. Thanks to technological advances, worshipers at a church in Switzerland can now speak directly to Jesus - or at least an AI version of him. As part of an art project called 'Deus in Machina' (God in a Machine) St Peter's Church in Lucerne has installed an AI-powered Jesus hologram to take confessions.
Scientists reveal why some people CHEAT on their partners - and it could explain why Kris Jenner, Bill Gates, and Bill Clinton had affairs
A new study shows that the chances of infidelity are 'significantly higher' among more powerful people. This includes politicians like Bill Clinton , CEOs like Bill Gates, and celebrities like Kris Jenner. People who feel more powerful are less dependent on others, think more highly of themselves, and are more confident that others find them desirable, according to researchers from Reichman University.
Can YOU tell if these accents are real? Take the test - as research reveals Geordies, Scots and Irish are best at spotting fakes
From the broad Scottish brogue to the unmistakable Geordie twang, the UK is home to a bewilderingly diverse array of different accents. But while you might pride yourself on your knowledge of local dialects, scientists have found that some British accents are simply more elusive than others. Researchers from the University of Cambridge tested people from around the UK to see how reliably they could separate an imposter accent from the real deal. Belfast, Geordie, and Glaswegian accents proved the hardest to forge with locals able to spot a fraud up to 80 per cent of the time from just two seconds of audio.
Earth could lose more than HALF of its glaciers by 2100 thanks to climate change, study warns
Glaciers are considered one of our planet's most precious natural features. These slow moving rivers of ice, thousands of years old, reflect the sun's rays back into space and store valuable freshwater. But a new study warns that more than half of the world's glaciers could vanish by the end of this century due to climate change .
Experts issue urgent warning over popular phone case loved by celebrities including Hailey Bieber, Molly-Mae, and Kendall Jenner
If you use Instagram , it's likely your feed has been full of celebrities showing off their lip gloss phone cases. Stars including Molly-Mae Hague , Rochelle Humes , and Kendall Jenner all use them, while TikTok is awash with influencers promoting the cases. The original design was unveiled back in February by Hailey Bieber 's brand, Rhode, and features a groove that fits a lip gloss. Since then, hundreds of copycat designs have appeared online - with even Heinz jumping on the bandwagon. While the design might look sleek and trendy, experts have issued an urgent warning about using the case on your phone.
You've been organising your fridge wrong! Experts reveal the correct spot for every single item - and finally settle the debate on where ketchup belongs
It's the focal point of kitchens around the world. But it turns out that you've probably been organising your fridge wrong. Experts from Which? have revealed the correct spot for every single item in your fridge, including raw meat, leftovers, and condiments. What's more, they've finally settled the debate on where ketchup belongs in your kitchen.
Bombshell report about Pentagon's secret UAP program 'Immaculate Constellation' reveals new evidence of UFOs and alien life
A bombshell report on the US government's top-secret UFO data retrieval program has revealed shocking evidence of Non-Human Intelligence (NHI) on Earth. Flying metallic orbs, 'jellyfish'-shaped aircraft, and UFOs that reportedly altered witnesses perception of time are just a few of the astonishing sightings described in the document.
'How are we letting this happen?' Viewers SLAM Coca-Cola for replacing humans with AI in its much-loved 'Holidays are Coming' Christmas advert - as one calls it 'the worst possible thing to use AI for'
Coca-Cola has solely used artificial intelligence to make the advert - a decision branded 'lazy' by viewers on X. One person posted: 'just saw an ai generated coca cola commercial on tv... genuinely how are we letting this happen.' Someone else posted to say they're 'fuming' and 'outraged' about the clip, adding that it looks 'utter s***, while another said it made them feel 'immediately sick'. Ever since the original nearly 30 years ago, Coca-Cola's annual 'Holidays are Coming' adverts have used real actors and two tonne trucks decked with Christmas lights.
Bizarre 'cloud glaciation' weather phenomenon could explain why people who live near factories are more likely to see SNOW this winter
If you live near a factory or industrial site you're more likely to see snowfall this winter, according to a study. Researchers have discovered that industrial pollution can cause liquid clouds to turn into ice clouds when it is cold. This process, known as cloud glaciation, happens when tiny air pollution particles trigger cloud drops to change into ice crystals and fall as snow.
Find out which celebrity you look most like: The AI tool that compares your face to thousands of stars and picks your doppelganger
The streets of London, New York, Dublin and Toronto have been full of thousands of people hoping to try and win celebrity lookalike contests in recent weeks. Amid the madness, you might be asking yourself - could I ever win a celebrity lookalike contest? Thankfully, help is at hand to answer this question, in the form of an app called Star by Face.
Revealed: The 155 historic sites in England that are at risk of being lost FOREVER - including the world's first railway station and the 'finest Roman House in Britain'
MailOnline's interactive map reveals the locations of 155 sites added to Historic England's annual 'at risk' list. These are buildings or places that are 'at risk of neglect, decay or inappropriate development'. They include the world's first railway station in County Durham, a rare Victorian six-sail windmill in Lincolnshire and 'the finest Roman House on show in Britain'. The good news is 124 sites have been removed from the register in 2024 because their 'futures have been secured' - bringing the overall total to 4,891.
What kind of dog owner are YOU? Scientists say all pooch parents fit into three distinct categories
Dogs are often referred to as 'man's best friend' - but a new study suggests that some owners might need to rethink this nickname for their pet. Researchers from Eötvös Loránd University surveyed 800 dog owners and found that they all fit into three distinct categories. So, what kind of dog owner are you?
Scientists reveal how to avoid a shark attack - and their method is surprisingly simple
Every year, around 80 unprovoked shark attacks are reported worldwide - including several that prove fatal. But the days of avoiding the water could finally be a thing of the past, as scientists from Macquarie University have found a surprisingly simple method to avoid shark attacks. Scientists say that attaching LED lights to you or your surfboard can create an 'invisibility cloak' which prevents sharks from attacking.
'Golden boy' mummy is revealed after 2,300 years: Scientists recreate the true face of a mysterious teenager who was buried with 49 amulets - including one next to his PENIS
This is the true face of the 'golden boy' - a mysterious teenage mummy interred in lavish style with a hoard of treasures to serve him in the afterlife. Found in Edfu, Upper Egypt, the mummy wore a golden head mask and had 49 amulets stashed around his body, including next to his penis. And though the identity of the deceased is lost to history, a new study has revealed his face for the first time in more than 2,000 years.
The world has ALREADY exceeded the critical 1.5°C warming threshold, study warns - and scientists say time is running out to curb climate change
Time may be running out to curb climate change, scientists have warned - as new data reveals that the critical 1.5°C threshold has already been reached. A new study has found that humans' contribution to global warming was 1.49°C in 2023 and has now exceeded the limits of the Paris Agreement. Most measurements for human-caused climate change use the mid-1800s as the benchmark for the 'pre-industrial' period. However, using a novel method looking at gases trapped in ancient ice (top right), researchers from Leeds and Lancaster Universities have pushed the benchmark time back to the 1700s. Measuring from this period produces estimates for the human contribution to climate change which are 30 per cent higher than standard models.
EXCLUSIVEThe world's most advanced fighter pilot helmet: Futuristic Striker II device uses AR to project critical information in front of pilots' eyes - and can spot enemy aircraft from hundreds of miles away
BAE Systems calls Striker II 'the world's most advanced helmet-mounted display' that 'immediately calculates the pilot's exact head position and angle'. At BAE Systems' offices in Rochester, Kent, MailOnline's Jonathan Chadwick was given exclusive access to try Striker II during a simulated flight from RAF Valley in Anglesey, Wales.
Revealed: The 5 glaring historical inaccuracies in the Gladiator II trailer - including American accents and a cup of TEA
Coming to cinemas on Friday (November 15), 'Gladiator II' features a host of stars including Paul Mescal , Denzel Washington , Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsen. One Roman historian has called Gladiator II 'total Hollywood b*******' on the basis that it can't separate fact from fiction. Now, MailOnline reveals five glaring historical inaccuracies in 'Gladiator II', from dodgy accents to rhino riding and baboon fighting - so, how many did you spot?
Even elephants like playing pranks! Watch the hilarious moment an animal turns off the water while its friend tries to take a shower
Whether it's a stapler in jello or a classic whoopee cushion, many of us enjoy playing cheeky pranks on our friends. And a new study shows that we're not alone. Zookeepers at Berlin Zoo were amazed to witness an Asian elephant pranking its friend. The elephant, called Anchali, sabotaged her friend Mary's shower by lifting and kinking the hose to disrupt the flow of water.