Psychokinesis - what is known about this phenomenon

Psychokinesis, also known as telekinesis, is the ability to move or influence objects with thought alone, without physical contact. Although it has been a topic of interest in paranormal researchers and science fiction for years, the scientific evidence for its existence remains controversial and inconclusive.

The history of psychokinesis research dates back to the 19th century, when spiritual mediums such as Eusapia Palladino claimed to be able to levitate objects during séances. Although many of these appearances were exposed as frauds, Palladino convinced some scientists, such as Pierre and Marie Curie, that she possessed supernatural abilities. In the 20th century, J. B. Rhine of Duke University pioneered a more scientific approach, investigating the influence of the mind on the results of dice rolls. Although his experiments yielded some results suggesting the possibility of mind-over-matter influence, critics charged that he was flawed in his methodologies, and other research teams were unable to replicate his results.

Modern research into psychokinesis focuses on “micro-PK,” or the manipulation of very small objects, such as influencing random number generators. Using advanced statistical tools, researchers can study subtle deviations from the norm that could indicate psychokinesis at work. These experiments, while sometimes yielding results that depart from chance, are still questionable due to the possibility of research errors and external influences.

Famous exponents of the psychokinesis phenomenon, such as Uri Geller, gained popularity in the 1970s with claims that they could bend spoons or repair watches with their minds. However, skeptics such as James Randi have repeatedly demonstrated that such demonstrations are the result of skillful illusionistic tricks rather than genuine psychic powers.

Although research into psychokinesis continues,  science has yet to find convincing evidence that mind can directly influence matter. Theoretical frameworks include speculations about influences from quantum mechanics, but these remain hypothetical. Psychological factors such as suggestion, expectation, and cognitive effects also play a key role in how people perceive psychokinesis phenomena.

Neanderthals Suffered from Social Isolation? This May Have Hastened Their Extinction

 Studies of the remains of a Neanderthal nicknamed Thorin shed new light on the social structure of this extinct hominid species. The findings suggest that some Neanderthal communities may have been highly isolated, which could have negatively affected their ability to survive.

Thorin's remains, dated to around 45,000 years ago, were discovered in the Grotte Mandrin cave in France. Analysis of DNA extracted from his teeth and jaw showed that Thorin belonged to a genetic lineage that diverged from other Neanderthals more than 100,000 years ago. This means that the community in which he lived was long isolated from other Neanderthal groups.

"It was previously thought that there was only one, genetically homogeneous population of Neanderthals at the time of the extinction. Now we know that there were at least two distinct populations at the time," says Tharsika Vimala, a population geneticist at the University of Copenhagen and co-author of the study.

Archaeologist Ludovic Slimak, who discovered Thorin's remains, emphasizes that his community did not exchange genes with other Neanderthal populations for 50,000 years. "This would be unthinkable for modern humans and shows that Neanderthals perceived the world very differently than we do," he notes.

Social isolation may have been a key factor in the Neanderthal extinction. Lack of contact with other groups limited genetic diversity, which reduced the ability to adapt to changing climates and pathogens. Furthermore, as Vimala points out, social isolation may have limited the exchange of knowledge and evolution as a population.

"It's always good when a population has contact with others. Long-term isolation limits genetic variability, which in turn weakens the ability to adapt and limits social development," the researcher explains.

Although the causes of Neanderthal extinction are still not fully understood, scientists suspect that climate change, increasing competition from homo sapiens and social isolation may have played a key role in their final demise around 40,000 years ago.

Photo of UFO shot down over Yukon still raises more questions than answers – what were the Canadian and US governments hiding?

 In February 2023, a mysterious object was shot down over the Yukon, a Canadian province bordering Alaska, and a photo of it was released by CTV News a few months later. The photo, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, has stirred much speculation, and the lack of official responses from the Canadian and American governments has only added to the confusion. The incident occurred just a week after the downing of a Chinese spy balloon, which intensified tensions over the protection of airspace over North America.

The object itself was shot down by an F-22 fighter jet, sent as part of a joint NORAD operation. The incident was one of three shootdowns that occurred between February 10 and 12, 2023. The objects appeared shortly after a Chinese balloon, clearly identified as a spy device, passed over the United States for a week. However, unlike the balloon, the object shot down over the Yukon and two others were not clearly identified. The photo that caused so much excitement shows a vague, cylindrical shape, which has only intensified theories about the objects' possible extraterrestrial origins.

During press conferences, US President Joe Biden stressed that the downed objects most likely did not pose a threat. He said they could have been private research or weather balloons, in an attempt to reassure the public. Nevertheless, due to the lack of recovered debris – search efforts were interrupted due to difficult weather conditions and terrain – numerous conspiracy theories have grown around the events.

In documents released by CTV News, the Yukon object is referred to as “UAP 23” — meaning “unidentified aerial phenomenon.” The term is gradually replacing the old term UFO, part of a broader government effort in the U.S. and Canada to investigate such phenomena. Both the Pentagon and NASA are stepping up their research into UAPs, and Canada is preparing to release a report as part of a Sky Canada project to shed light on such sightings.

The public, meanwhile, continues to wonder: Were these objects truly harmless? Why is there still so little information about them? The lack of transparency from both governments only fuels speculation about possible threats from nations competing for technological dominance. The February 2023 incidents have undoubtedly shown how sensitive North American airspace is and how little we know about what might be flying there.

Workaholics vs. Alcoholics: Scientists' Surprising Lifespan Discovery

 Can work be as dangerous to health as alcoholism? The latest research by American scientists suggests that it is. Published in the prestigious journal "American Journal of Epidemiology", the results show that people who constantly work without rest live shorter lives than those who struggle with chronic alcoholism.

The study involved 749 women aged 45 to 64. The researchers analyzed their lifestyles, collecting information on their professional careers and addictions. They then followed the participants for about 20 years.

The results were surprising. The analysis confirmed that overwork and lack of rest pose a serious health risk. It turned out that the average life expectancy of people who are constantly overworked is shorter than that of people addicted to alcohol. The researchers explain that persistent fatigue significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack. Moreover, three hours of overtime per day is enough to provoke this dangerous event.

According to experts, this problem affects more and more people. In an era of constant rush, pressure to perform and constant availability, many employees give up vacations and weekends to devote themselves to their careers. Meanwhile, research shows that such a lifestyle can have dire consequences.

Experts emphasize that the key to maintaining good health and a long life is finding a balance between work and rest. Regular breaks, holidays and time off are essential to avoid debilitating stress and chronic ailments.

Scientists are calling on employers to implement solutions that will help employees maintain a healthy life balance. These include limiting overtime, encouraging vacations and creating a culture in which rest is not seen as a sign of weakness.

Discovery of a new blood type after 50 years of mystery - groundbreaking research by scientists

 Since 1972, scientists have been trying to solve the mystery of a mysterious lack of a certain molecule on the surface of a pregnant woman's red blood cells. After 50 years of intensive research, scientists from the UK and Israel have finally managed to describe a new blood group system in humans.

This is a huge accomplishment, the culmination of a long-term team effort to finally establish this new blood group system and provide the best care for rare but important patients. While most of us are more familiar with the ABO and Rh (positive or negative) blood group systems, people actually have many different blood group systems, based on the variety of proteins and sugars that coat the surface of our blood cells.

Our bodies use these antigenic molecules, among other things, as identification markers to distinguish "self" from potentially harmful "non-self." If these markers don't match during a blood transfusion, this life-saving tactic can trigger reactions and even prove fatal.

Most of the major blood groups were identified in the early 20th century. Many discovered since then, such as the Er blood system first described by researchers in 2022, apply to only a small number of people. This is also the case with the new blood group. The work has been difficult because genetic cases are so rare.

Previous studies have shown that more than 99.9% of people have the AnWj antigen, which was missing from the patient's blood in 1972. This antigen is found on a protein in myelin and lymphocytes, prompting researchers to call the newly described system the MAL blood group.

When someone has a mutated version of both copies of their MAL genes, they end up with the AnWj-negative blood type, like the pregnant patient. Tilley and her team identified three patients with the rare blood type who did not have the mutation, suggesting that sometimes blood disorders can also suppress this antigen.

MAL is a very small protein with some interesting properties, which made it difficult to identify and required us to pursue multiple lines of research to gather the evidence we needed to establish this blood group system. To establish that they had the right gene, after decades of research, the team introduced the normal MAL gene into blood cells that were AnWj negative. This effectively delivered the AnWj antigen to these cells.

MAL protein is known to play a key role in maintaining cell membrane stability and facilitating cellular transport. Furthermore, previous studies have shown that AnWj is not present in neonates but appears shortly after birth.

Interestingly, all the AnWj-negative patients in the study had the same mutation. However, no other abnormalities or cellular diseases associated with the mutation were found. Now that scientists have identified the genetic markers behind the MAL mutation, patients can be tested to see whether their MAL-negative blood type is hereditary or due to suppression, which could be a sign of another medical problem.

These rare blood oddities can have devastating consequences for patients, so the more we understand about them, the more lives can be saved. The research was published in the journal Blood.

Haunted Houses in Poland: Scary Places You Should Avoid

 There are many places in Poland that are shrouded in dark stories, which have attracted the attention of both paranormal investigators and tourists looking for a thrill for years. Tales of haunted houses and castles not only fuel the imagination but also fit into the culture of urban legends and folk traditions. Examples from all over the country show that every region has its mysterious places that still frighten today.

One of the most famous haunted places is the House on Kosocicka Street in Krakow. For many years, the abandoned building on the route to Wieliczka has been a source of concern for locals. Stories have it that the house was the site of tragic events that were supposed to have caused paranormal activity. The legend tells of two brothers who argued over the house, and one of them was supposed to have killed the other. Those who dared to enter described a feeling of unease, strange markings on the walls, and sacred objects scattered throughout the interior. In 2016, the building was demolished, but that did not stop the stories circulating about it.

Villa Morskie Oko 5 is another terrifying place, this time located near Warsaw. This former residence witnessed tragic events during the Warsaw Uprising, when a young girl, Hanna, was shot by a sniper in front of her own home. Hanna's ghost supposedly still wanders the garden and balcony. The villa burned down in later years, which only added to its reputation as a place full of bad energy. The fire was supposedly the work of Satanists, who supposedly performed their rituals there.

Another place to avoid is Niedzica Castle. This place is known for the presence of the ghost of the White Lady, who according to legend was the wife of one of the castle's owners. Her tragic death made her a symbol of eternal fear. Many tourists visiting the castle claim to have seen her apparition walking around the courtyard. What's more, an Inca treasure was found in Niedzica, which some believe may have contributed to the curse that haunts this place to this day.

The Pokropski family house in Turza Wielka is equally terrifying. The history of this place tells of unusual paranormal phenomena, such as levitating objects or the sound of footsteps. The house became the object of interest even of the clergy, but their prayers brought no results, and exorcisms only deepened the problem. The family was forced to leave their property, leaving behind haunted walls that attract more and more stories.

It is also impossible not to mention the Witkowice suicide forest, which is located near Krakow. This place is infamous for numerous tragic events, including the disappearance of a group of students in 2001. The forest has become a symbol of a place where disturbing phenomena can cause not only chills but also tragedies. To this day, it is not known what happened to the students, and theories revolve around supernatural forces.

The old church in Chróścina also has an impact on visitors. This place is shrouded in a legend about a boy who disappeared and drowned in a nearby pond. Residents of the area have reported numerous reports of the ghost of a child who asks about his parents. Mysterious events from the past and phenomena that are difficult to explain have made the church one of the most terrifying places in Poland.

Poland is full of such places, where reality mixes with legend, and ghosts and curses live on in the stories of locals. Haunted houses attract not only enthusiasts of paranormal phenomena, but also those who simply want to feel the thrill. Although there is not always a scientific explanation for these phenomena, they are certainly an interesting subject for further research.

Ghosts and UFO's

 The theory linking ghosts to UFOs is gaining popularity, especially in the context of interdimensional hypotheses, which suggest that both ghosts and UFOs may be manifestations of the same type of energy or phenomena from other dimensions. Proponents of this theory point out that both UFO sightings and paranormal phenomena, such as encounters with ghosts, may result from the intersection of our world with other realities. According to this theory, UFOs and ghosts do not have to be separate phenomena but may come from the same energy sources, located outside our standard spatial and temporal dimensions. Jacques Vallée, a famous ufologist, has pointed out that UFO phenomena do not necessarily have to be of extraterrestrial origin. In his book *Passport to Magonia*, he pointed out that many of these sightings can be linked to ancient legends of ghosts, demons, and other supernatural beings. Vallée suggested that UFOs could be a manifestation of another dimension, parallel to our own, that sometimes intersects with our world, leading to sightings of both UFOs and ghosts. According to this theory, interdimensional entities can pass between dimensions, which would explain their ability to appear and disappear and manipulate space-time.

Another interesting interpretation is the theory that UFOs could be manifestations of plasma energy or energy-based biological entities. Some researchers suggest that UFOs could be plasma-based life forms that exist in outer space and weather phenomena. Such entities, called "sky critters," would have the ability to shapeshift and move between dimensions, resembling behaviours attributed to ghosts in witness accounts.

Culturally, different societies around the world have their own interpretations of UFO and ghost phenomena. Many Appalachian Native American traditions have stories of *Moon-eyed People*—mysterious humanoids who appeared and disappeared in ways that are reminiscent of modern UFO reports. This suggests a common tendency across cultures to link supernatural phenomena with visitations from other dimensions. While many aspects of this theory remain speculative, the common denominator of UFOs and spirits as manifestations of interdimensional energy offers a new approach to understanding these phenomena. Modern research that connects these two areas may help us better understand how different dimensions affect our reality and how they may manifest as mysterious beings.

Poltergeists

 Poltergeists, or "noisy spirits," have fascinated and frightened people around the world for centuries. They are mysterious phenomena that include spontaneous movement of objects, mysterious noises, and sometimes even physical attacks on people. Poltergeists differ from traditional ghosts in that their activity is not focused on visual manifestations, but on dynamic and often terrifying physical effects. This phenomenon has been described in many cases, including the famous Enfield incident in the 1970s, where a family witnessed terrifying, inexplicable events, such as furniture moving on its own and mysterious voices. Scientists and researchers of paranormal phenomena have tried to explain poltergeists in various ways. One popular theory is psychokinesis, or the ability of the mind to influence physical objects without the use of mechanical force. There are studies that suggest that poltergeists may be the result of unconscious mental processes in people, especially children and adolescents, experiencing strong emotions or tensions. Neuropsychological studies have shown that some people who experience poltergeist phenomena may have unusual activity in the areas of the brain responsible for movement and perception.

An interesting theory is that poltergeists may be the result of unconscious psychokinesis, where intense emotions lead to the emission of energy that affects the surroundings. Such phenomena often occur around people who are under great stress or experiencing intense emotional changes. Some studies indicate that in such cases, there may be changes in brain activity that can cause small movements of objects.

However, poltergeist phenomena remain controversial. Many phenomena attributed to poltergeists have turned out to be fakes or the result of overinterpretation. Sceptics argue that many poltergeist reports can be explained by natural phenomena, such as hallucinations, auditory illusions, or attempts to attract attention from people with emotional or mental problems.

Despite scepticism, poltergeists have become a permanent fixture in popular culture, inspiring films, books, and television shows. Classic films such as 1982's "Poltergeist" further fuel the fascination with the phenomenon, creating an image of menacing, invisible forces capable of influencing the material world. Poltergeists remain one of the most enigmatic phenomena on the border between science and the paranormal. Whether they are the result of unknown mental forces, fraud, or the work of invisible entities - the answer to this question remains elusive, and the subject of poltergeists continues to fascinate and arouse emotions.

Remote Viewing and UFOs

 Remote viewing is a phenomenon in which a person, without physical access to the location, attempts to obtain information about distant locations or events through thought alone. While remote viewing remains a controversial topic, especially in the scientific world, its practitioners have long claimed to have discovered extraordinary things, including UFO bases in places like Antarctica.

One of the most high-profile cases linking remote viewing to UFOs involves Ingo Swann, who claimed to have used his ability to discover structures on the Moon and Antarctica that he believed were connected to aliens. Swann was a key figure in the Stargate project, a secret US military program that investigated the use of paranormal phenomena for military purposes. Works like his have often been criticized by the scientific community due to their lack of repeatable results and scientific verification. While his claims of UFO bases in hard-to-reach places like Antarctica were popular with conspiracy theorists, scientists remain skeptical. As the most inaccessible continent, Antarctica has long been a subject of fascination for both researchers and conspiracy theorists. Expeditions such as Operation Highjump in 1946 increased interest in the region, and some theories claim that mysterious structures have been discovered beneath the ice. Claims of UFO bases in Antarctica are often based on satellite images that supposedly show anomalies in the ice, which some interpret as alien structures. However, such images are usually the result of natural geological processes, such as melting ice, and do not provide any evidence of extraterrestrial technology. The scientific community is very wary of such claims. Remote viewing, although studied extensively, especially in the 1970s and 1980s, has not produced results that could be considered credible evidence of such abilities. Eventually, projects such as Stargate were shut down, and their results were heavily criticized for their lack of repeatability and conclusiveness. For scientists, claims of remote viewers discovering UFO bases are still pseudoscience, unsupported by hard evidence. UFO enthusiasts, however, continue to view remote viewing as a tool for uncovering hidden truths. They argue that the official closure of projects like Stargate does not mean an end to research into the phenomenon, but rather a cover-up of its findings. Antarctica, with its mysterious, little-explored areas, remains a focus of these theories, linking them to visions of UFO bases waiting to be discovered.

Elementals: Discover the Secrets of the Nature Spirits

 Elementals, also known as nature spirits, have fascinated people around the world for centuries. In various cultures, they are considered to be creatures inhabiting the natural world, often associated with the elements – earth, water, fire and air. Although they are often confused with the spirits of the dead, their origins are completely different. Elementals symbolize the primal power of nature, acting as guardians of the elements, and their presence is connected to the forces of nature that are beyond human control.

In Norse mythology, elves (Álfar) were often considered spirits associated with the elements and nature. The light elves, who inhabited Alfheim, had a special relationship with the god Freyr, who was their lord. These mysterious beings were considered the personification of abundance and fertility, and sacrifices made to the elves were supposed to ensure a good harvest. In this context, elves had a clear connection with the earth and fertility.

Another well-known elemental is the goblins, which originate from European folklore. Unlike elves, goblins are often depicted as mischievous and grotesque creatures, although their role in protecting the land is no less important. Goblins guard the treasures of the earth, such as minerals and gems, and their presence is often seen as negative. In popular culture, their image has changed, with some stories depicting goblins as beings capable of creating beautiful works of art.

In the Wicca tradition and in British and Celtic folklore, faeries are another example of nature spirits. These beings, sometimes depicted as small, winged creatures and sometimes as larger, human-like creatures, act as guardians of forests, meadows, and other wild places. Faeries are associated with magic and illusion, and their world is governed by its own rules. In Celtic culture, stories of humans who enter the fairy realm and do not return to the world of the living are common. Faeries do not like to be seen by humans, and their capricious nature makes relationships with them dangerous. Elementals are also associated with the elements in magical practices. For example, the air spirits known as sylphs represent lightness and movement, while the fire spirits, salamanders, are associated with energy and transformation. In various cultures, these elementals act as guardians of the elements, and their symbolism in rituals and legends reflects the power of nature they represent. Nature spirits, such as elves, goblins, and faeries, are beings with a strong connection to nature and play an important role in the mythologies and beliefs of many cultures. Although their natures can vary from protective to malevolent, elementals represent primal forces that continue to fascinate people, reminding them of the untamed power of nature.