Discoveries

Good morning, Science Enthusiasts!

How much sleep did you get this weekend? For most of us—not enough.

A Gallup poll released this morning found that 57 percent of Americans need more sleep. Women under 50 are particularly sleep deprived, with only 27 percent saying they are getting enough sleep (compared to 46 percent of men in the same age bracket.)

This decline in sleep satisfaction has been matched with a sharp incline in national stress levels, which again skews towards younger women.

Beyond plundering our productivity, stress and sleep deprivation seriously strain our mental and physical well-being. Luckily, new research has found that we might be getting more sleep than we think.

In other news, we’ll explore the latest deathcare movement to gain traction across the U.S.

But to kick us off, we're looking at a first-of-its-kind discovery into an “evolutionary accident”.

Have a great week, and until Wednesday, stay curious 🚀

Pandora Dewan is a Senior Science Reporter at Newsweek based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on science, health and technology. You can get in touch with Pandora by emailing [email protected], or on Instagram @pandoradewan.

WONDERS OF NATURE

Exploring the mysteries of evolution

Scientists 'Couldn't Believe' First of Its Kind Evolutionary Accident

In a first, scientists have stumbled across a natural protein that follows a mathematical pattern of self-similarity called a fractal. The peculiar protein changes our understanding of self-assembly in nature and demonstrates the impressive potential of molecular evolution. Fractals are a visual expression of a repeating pattern or formula that starts simple and gets progressively more complex. Learn how this finding sheds light on the complex processes underlying genetic evolution and highlights the role of chance in shaping biological structures. Speaking of the wonders of nature, here are some other stories with an evolutionary bent:

LAB NOTES

Top science news across disciplines

Mortuary science: Human composting could become the future of American deathcare as support for the method gains traction in several more states. Learn about its environmental benefits and growing acceptance as an alternative to traditional burial or cremation methods.
Research: We've discussed how getting enough sleep is essential for our mental and physical wellbeing. But for the 30 million Americans who suffer with insomnia, this can be a lot easier said than done. Luckily, scientists say that you might be getting more sleep than you think.
Archaeology: Archaeologists have uncovered intriguing similarities between the behavior of Homo sapiens and Neanderthals, one of our closest extinct relatives. Find out the similarities.
Weather watch: The Sierra Nevada mountains have had an unusually average snowfall year, which scientists say is out of the ordinary. Learn more.
Reproductive health: Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade, more women are resorting to getting their tubes tied due to the loss of abortion rights, as per a study in JAMA Health Forum. Learn more about it. — compiled by Sonal Nain, newsletter producer

RARE FINDS

Exploring archaeology

Beautiful Statue's Head Unearthed in 'Thrilling' Ancient City Find

Archaeologists have uncovered the "beautiful" head of a marble statue thought to depict an ancient Greco-Roman god. A team led by Natalia Poulou from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki discovered the 1,800-year-old artifact during excavations at Philippi in northeastern Greece. Philippi, founded by Greek colonists in the 4th century B.C., evolved into a Roman-style city post the Battle of Philippi in 42 B.C. Explore more about this uncovering and its significance.