Archaeologists in England unearthed a remarkably intact, 1,700-year-old Roman chicken egg during a waterlogged site excavation. While other eggs from the same site broke upon discovery, this one remained whole, likely due to its preservation in a soft, oxygen-poor environment. Although the egg did eventually crack during a later cleaning, it initially held its shape and even contained some liquid within. Researchers believe the egg was a votive offering, intentionally placed at the site as part of a ritual practice.
A 2,200-year-old pyramid-shaped structure has been discovered near the Dead Sea in Israel. Dating back to the Hellenistic period, the structure contained hundreds of bronze coins, lead sling stones, iron weapon parts, and pottery fragments. Archaeologists believe it may be a fortified watchtower or military installation related to unrest during the reign of the Seleucid Empire. Its unusual pyramid shape and the presence of weapons suggest a connection to military activity, possibly related to conflicts between the Seleucids and the Ptolemaic kingdom or local revolts. Further excavation is needed to fully understand the structure's purpose and significance.
Hacker News commenters express skepticism about the "pyramid" designation, pointing out that the structure appears to be a heavily eroded square tower, more akin to a ziggurat than an Egyptian pyramid. They also question the sensationalized reporting, noting the lack of images of the actual coins and weapons, and the vague description of the finds. Some users highlight the complex history of the region and suggest possible connections to various historical groups, while others bemoan the clickbait-y nature of the original article title. Several commenters call for more rigorous reporting and better sourcing, with links to academic papers or archaeological reports preferred over popular science articles.
A giant, single-celled organism resembling a fungus, dubbed Blob and found in an aquarium, is baffling scientists. Its unique characteristics, including visible veins, rapid growth, multiple nuclei within a single cell membrane, and 720 sexes, don't fit neatly into any known kingdom of life. Researchers suggest it could represent an entirely new branch on the evolutionary tree, potentially offering insights into early life forms. While it exhibits some fungus-like behaviors, genetic analysis reveals it's distinct from fungi, animals, plants, or any other known group, raising questions about life's diversity and evolution.
Hacker News commenters express skepticism about the "unknown branch of life" claim, pointing out that the organism, Prototaxites, has been studied for a long time and is generally considered a giant fungus, albeit with an unusual structure. Several commenters highlight the ongoing debate about its classification, with some suggesting a lichen-like symbiosis or an algal connection, but not a completely separate domain of life. The practical challenges of studying such ancient, fossilized organisms are also noted, and the sensationalist framing of the article is criticized. Some express excitement about the mysteries still surrounding Prototaxites, while others recommend reading the original scientific literature rather than relying on popular science articles.
A Brown University undergraduate, Noah Solomon, disproved a long-standing conjecture in data science known as the "conjecture of Kahan." This conjecture, which had puzzled researchers for 40 years, stated that certain algorithms used for floating-point computations could only produce a limited number of outputs. Solomon developed a novel geometric approach to the problem, discovering a counterexample that demonstrates these algorithms can actually produce infinitely many outputs under specific conditions. His work has significant implications for numerical analysis and computer science, as it clarifies the behavior of these fundamental algorithms and opens new avenues for research into improving their accuracy and reliability.
Hacker News commenters generally expressed excitement and praise for the undergraduate student's achievement. Several questioned the "40-year-old conjecture" framing, pointing out that the problem, while known, wasn't a major focus of active research. Some highlighted the importance of the mentor's role and the collaborative nature of research. Others delved into the technical details, discussing the specific implications of the findings for dimensionality reduction techniques like PCA and the difference between theoretical and practical significance in this context. A few commenters also noted the unusual amount of media attention for this type of result, speculating about the reasons behind it. A recurring theme was the refreshing nature of seeing an undergraduate making such a contribution.
Researchers believe they may have discovered a network of tunnels beneath Milan's Sforza Castle, potentially matching sketches made by Leonardo da Vinci during his time as a court engineer there in the late 15th century. Using ground-penetrating radar and archive research, the team identified several underground passages and chambers consistent with da Vinci's drawings, suggesting he may have played a larger role in the castle's design and construction than previously thought. Further investigation is needed to confirm the tunnels' connection to da Vinci, but the discovery offers a tantalizing glimpse into the artist's diverse talents and the castle's complex history.
Hacker News users discuss the discovery of tunnels potentially matching Leonardo da Vinci's sketches, expressing skepticism about the novelty. Several commenters point out that the tunnels have been known for a long time, even suggesting they've personally toured them. Some doubt da Vinci's direct involvement, proposing the tunnels pre-dated him and were simply documented in his drawings. Others question the CNN article's framing, suggesting it oversells a relatively mundane finding for clicks. A few users offer alternative theories about the tunnels' purpose, including water management or escape routes. Overall, the prevailing sentiment is one of mild disappointment, with commenters finding the "discovery" less exciting than the headline implies.
A user is puzzled by how their subdomain, used for internal documentation and not linked anywhere publicly, was discovered and accessed by an external user. They're concerned about potential security vulnerabilities and are seeking explanations for how this could have happened, considering they haven't shared the subdomain's address. The user is ruling out DNS brute-forcing due to the subdomain's unique and unguessable name. They're particularly perplexed because the subdomain isn't indexed by search engines and hasn't been exposed through any known channels.
The Hacker News comments discuss various ways a subdomain might be discovered, focusing on the likelihood of accidental discovery rather than malicious intent. Several commenters suggest DNS brute-forcing, where automated tools guess subdomains, is a common occurrence. Others highlight the possibility of the subdomain being included in publicly accessible configurations or code repositories like GitHub, or being discovered through certificate transparency logs. Some commenters suggest checking the server logs for clues, and emphasize that finding a subdomain doesn't necessarily imply anything nefarious is happening. The general consensus leans toward the discovery being unintentional and automated.
A Brown University undergraduate, Noah Golowich, disproved a long-standing conjecture in data science related to the "Kadison-Singer problem." This problem, with implications for signal processing and quantum mechanics, asked about the possibility of extending certain "frame" functions while preserving their key properties. A 2013 proof showed this was possible in specific high dimensions, leading to the conjecture it was true for all higher dimensions. Golowich, building on recent mathematical tools, demonstrated a counterexample, proving the conjecture false and surprising experts in the field. His work, conducted under the mentorship of Assaf Naor, highlights the potential of exploring seemingly settled mathematical areas.
Hacker News users discussed the implications of the undergraduate's discovery, with some focusing on the surprising nature of such a significant advancement coming from an undergraduate researcher. Others questioned the practicality of the new algorithm given its computational complexity, highlighting the trade-off between statistical accuracy and computational feasibility. Several commenters also delved into the technical details of the conjecture and its proof, expressing interest in the specific mathematical techniques employed. There was also discussion regarding the potential applications of the research within various fields and the broader implications for data science and machine learning. A few users questioned the phrasing and framing in the original Quanta Magazine article, finding it slightly sensationalized.
Discovery Coding is a software development approach prioritizing exploration and experimentation over rigid upfront planning. It emphasizes building small, functional prototypes to rapidly test ideas and gain a deeper understanding of the problem domain. This iterative process allows for continuous learning and adaptation, enabling developers to discover the best solutions organically, rather than being constrained by initial assumptions. The core principle is to treat coding as a tool for investigation, using it to uncover insights and refine the direction of the project as development progresses. This approach embraces uncertainty and recognizes that the best path forward often emerges through experimentation and discovery.
HN users generally praise the "discovery coding" approach described in the linked article. Several commenters share their own experiences with similar workflows, emphasizing the benefits of iterative exploration and experimentation for learning and problem-solving. Some highlight the importance of setting aside dedicated time for this type of coding, contrasting it with the pressure of deadline-driven work. Others suggest tools and techniques that can facilitate discovery coding, like using Jupyter notebooks or focusing on visual outputs. A few caution against over-reliance on this method for larger projects, advocating for more structured planning when necessary. There's also a discussion on how this relates to different learning styles and the potential downsides, such as getting lost in tangents or feeling unproductive.
Wikenigma is a collaborative encyclopedia cataloging the unknown and unexplained. It aims to be a comprehensive resource for unsolved mysteries, encompassing scientific enigmas, historical puzzles, paranormal phenomena, and strange occurrences. The project encourages contributions from anyone with knowledge or interest in these areas, with the goal of building a structured and accessible repository of information about the things we don't yet understand. Rather than offering solutions, Wikenigma focuses on clearly defining and documenting the mysteries themselves, providing context, evidence, and possible explanations while acknowledging the unknown aspects.
Hacker News users discussed Wikenigma with cautious curiosity. Some expressed interest in the concept of cataloging the unknown, viewing it as a valuable tool for research and sparking curiosity. Others were more skeptical, raising concerns about the practicality of defining and categorizing the unknown, and the potential for the project to become overly broad or filled with pseudoscience. Several commenters debated the philosophical implications of the endeavor, questioning what constitutes "unknown" and how to differentiate between genuine mysteries and simply unanswered questions. A few users suggested alternative approaches to organizing and exploring the unknown, such as focusing on specific domains or using a more structured framework. Overall, the reception was mixed, with some intrigued by the potential and others remaining unconvinced of its value.
Summary of Comments ( 25 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43683870
Hacker News users discussed the fragility of the egg and the unlikelihood of it surviving intact for so long. Some questioned the claim it hadn't broken, suggesting hairline fractures invisible to the naked eye were possible. Others pointed to the potential for the egg to be much younger than claimed, citing the difficulty of precise dating for organic materials. The discussion also touched on the variability of preservation conditions in different soil types, and speculated about the egg's original purpose, like being part of a burial ritual. Some users expressed disappointment that the article lacked information about the egg's contents beyond it being "liquid," and hoped future analysis would reveal more.
The Hacker News post titled "1,700 year old egg never broke" (linking to an Atlas Obscura article about a Roman-era egg found intact underwater) generated a moderate number of comments, mostly focusing on speculation about the egg's preservation and the plausibility of the story.
Several commenters questioned the egg's age and the claim it hadn't broken. One user pointed out the discrepancy between the headline's claim of 1,700 years and the article's mention of a 4th-century Roman ship, suggesting a potential error in the dating. Another commenter expressed skepticism about the egg remaining intact, given the fragility of eggshells and the pressures of being submerged for such a long period. They suggested it might be a fossilized egg or that some form of mineralization had occurred.
A few commenters delved into possible explanations for the egg's preservation. One proposed the egg might have been stored in an airtight container, perhaps a ceramic jar with a sealed lid, which could have protected it from the elements and prevented decomposition. Another speculated about the role of the anaerobic underwater environment in preventing bacterial breakdown, potentially contributing to the egg's long-term survival. A commenter with apparent archaeological knowledge suggested that the mud and sediment at the bottom of the water could have created a stable, low-oxygen environment that aided in preservation.
Some comments offered lighter takes on the situation. One user jokingly pondered the potential smell upon opening the egg, anticipating a potent aroma. Another quipped about the possibility of extracting ancient DNA and recreating Roman-era chickens.
While a few commenters expressed interest in learning more about the scientific analysis of the egg and hoped for future updates, the overall tone of the discussion was one of cautious curiosity mixed with a healthy dose of skepticism. There wasn't a single "most compelling" comment, but rather a collection of observations and hypotheses reflecting a shared interest in the unusual find.