Open-access mega journal publishing primary research across science and medicine
Kenya's High Court has dismissed a bid by Rastafarians to legalise cannabis for religious purposes, stating the law does not violate freedom of religion. The ruling urges a broader national discussion on cannabis policy, acknowledging widespread use while underscoring the colonial-era roots of drug laws.
Archaeologists have found jars on the Plain of Jars in Laos containing densely packed remains of at least 37 people across a span of centuries, pointing to multigenerational mortuary practices and long-range trade links. New dating and analyses suggest secondary internment and family or community rites, upending earlier ideas about Iron Age Southeast Asia.
Archaeology near Stonehenge reveals two timber poles 120 meters apart aligned with solstices, dating to about 5000 years ago. The find, led by Phil Harding of Wessex Archaeology, suggests sun-worship rituals predated Stonehenge by around 500 years and may reshape beliefs about the monument’s origins.
A Penn State-led study shows four minutes of four key exercises can meaningfully improve physical function in adults 65+, with benefits appearing within 12 weeks. The quick routine, FAST-2, uses push-ups, chair stands, two-arm rows and stair stepping with minimal equipment, and high adherence was observed.
Scientists have confirmed Colobus congoensis, known locally as Likweli, as a distinct African monkey species. Found in the Lomami-Lualaba interfluve in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, it is among the rarest African monkey discoveries in 75 years and may be endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.