Human-caused earthquakes are real. Here’s why even stable regions can snap
Human activity can cause “healed” faults to release their stored strength, triggering unexpected quakes in tectonically stable regions.
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Human feelings influence beliefs about cat emotions and well-being, study shows
People rated cats as having a more positive emotional state when shown indoors rather than outdoors, even those who believe cats should roam freely outside, a new study has found. The study also found that other contextual factors, such as the color of cats' coats and a
Study finds offshore wind areas in the Gulf of Mexico pose minimal impact to shrimping grounds
The world's transition to renewable energy—and progress toward lowering carbon emissions—depends on expanding offshore energy, particularly wind power. A new study published in the journal Marine and Coastal Fisheries provides new insight into how proposed development areas in
How Ramanujan's formulae for pi connect to modern high energy physics
Most of us first hear about the irrational number π (pi)—rounded off as 3.14, with an infinite number of decimal digits—in school, where we learn about its use in the context of a circle. More recently, scientists have developed supercomputers that can estimate up to trillions
Antibiotics could trigger immune response through gut microbiome metabolites
The microbes inside our bodies not only help break down food but also impact our health. Yet their precise influence is not always understood, especially in the presence of prescription drugs.
Fish freshness easily monitored with a new sensor
To see if a fish is fresh, people recommend looking at its eyes and gills or giving it a sniff. But a more accurate check for food quality and safety is to look for compounds that form when decomposition starts.
KIC 5623923 is a faint eclipsing binary exhibiting Delta Scuti-type pulsations, observations find
Using NASA's Kepler space telescope, Chinese astronomers have observed a binary star system known as KIC 5623923. As a result, they found that the investigated system is a faint eclipsing binary experiencing Delta Scuti-type pulsations. The new findings were published Nov. 24
Manatee protection may be eroded under Trump administration's proposed changes to Endangered Species Act
In the wild, Florida's manatees already face threats from cold stress, habitat loss, boat strikes and other human activities.
SpaceX knocks out sunset Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral
SpaceX carved out a sunset launch over the Space Coast on Dec. 2 with its latest Starlink flight.
Scientific American’s Best Fiction and Nonfiction Picks for Science-Minded Readers
Scientific American unveils its first-ever best fiction and nonfiction books of the year, spotlighting stories that blend science, imagination and unforgettable voices.
Is the Drought in the Southwest Permanent?
New models foretell more dry years ahead The post Is the Drought in the Southwest Permanent? appeared first on Nautilus .
Tropical Australian study sets new standard for Indigenous-led research
A new study highlights how Indigenous leadership, science and business can unite to protect coastal ecosystems while building long-term environmental and cultural knowledge.
Tailored single atom platforms hold promise for next-generation catalysis
Catalysts play a vital role in modern society, supporting processes from metallurgy to pharmaceutical production. To reduce environmental impact and maximize efficiency, science has pushed the boundaries between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis toward single-atom
'Jaws' impact may be wearing off as shark perceptions soften
Teeth. Ocean. Predator. These are the three most common words used to describe sharks, according to a new global survey published in Wildlife Research, eliciting 1,000 different text responses.
Study finds that purchasing things for two is stressful
For many of us, any kind of shopping is stressful enough. The anxiety, however, really kicks in when you must purchase something you're going to share with another person.
Epigenetics linked to high-altitude adaptation in Andes
DNA sequencing technology makes it possible to explore the genome to learn how humans adapted to live in a wide range of environments. Research has shown, for instance, that Tibetans living at high altitude in the Himalayas have a unique variant of a gene that expands the
Deadly Asian floods are no fluke. They're a climate warning, scientists say
Southeast Asia is being pummeled by unusually severe floods this year, as late-arriving storms and relentless rains wreak havoc that has caught many places off guard.
San Francisco's beloved albino alligator Claude dies at 30
A rare albino alligator named Claude who was beloved by fans around the world died Tuesday, according to the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. He was 30.
Renowned astronomers push to protect Chile's cherished night sky from an industrial project
Chile's Atacama Desert is one of the darkest spots on Earth, a crown jewel for astronomers who flock to study the origins of the universe in this inhospitable desert along the Pacific coast.
Debris disk gallery shows tell-tale signs of asteroids and comets in distant solar systems
Observations with the instrument SPHERE at ESO's Very Large Telescope have produced an unprecedented gallery of "debris disks" in exoplanetary systems.
Terrestrial biodiversity grows with tree cover in agricultural landscapes
Farmers plant or preserve riparian buffers for various reasons, such as improving water quality, controlling erosion, or maintaining hunting habitat. Now, a new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign underscores the benefits of riparian buffers to terrestrial
Is your gut being poisoned? Scientists reveal the hidden impact of everyday chemicals
Researchers discovered that 168 common chemicals can disrupt the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, with some also promoting antibiotic resistance. Many of these substances—found in food, water, and household items—weren’t previously suspected of affecting living organisms. A
A 70-year-old pregnancy drug just revealed a hidden weakness in brain cancer
Researchers have solved the decades-old mystery behind how a common pregnancy drug lowers blood pressure. It turns out the medication blocks a fast-acting “oxygen alarm” inside cells. That same alarm helps brain tumors survive, meaning the drug unexpectedly weakens them, too.
Scientists boost lifespan by 70% in elderly male mice using simple drug combo
Scientists found that combining oxytocin with an Alk5 inhibitor revitalized extremely old male mice, boosting their lifespan and strength. Female mice showed only short-term improvements, highlighting a major sex difference in aging biology. The therapy restored youthful
Global study examines culture of sustainability at universities
Under the title "Exploring Culture(s) of Sustainability at Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Review of Concepts and Pathways," the project Culture of Sustainability at Higher Education Institutions (KuNaH) systematically analyzed the scientific literature on
Flat Earth, spirits and conspiracy theories: Experience can shape even extraordinary beliefs
On Feb. 22, 2020, "Mad" Mike Hughes towed a homemade rocket to the Mojave Desert and launched himself into the sky. His goal? To view the flatness of Earth from space. This was his third attempt, and tragically it was fatal. Hughes crashed shortly after takeoff and died.
The silent violence of ableism in architecture
Outdated models of disability still dominate thinking in our built environment. Approaches grounded in old medical and charity models of disability have long reinforced a status quo trapped in hundred-year-old thinking—and it shows.
Can the US Build a Nuclear Powered Future?
After decades of sluggish growth, AI could help usher in a nuclear revival—but a major challenge remains The post Can the US Build a Nuclear Powered Future? appeared first on Nautilus .
A 1939 Royal Commission found burning forests leads to more bushfires. But the cycle of destruction can be stopped
Every year, government workers around Australia start fires in the bush. The idea behind these prescribed burning programs is that removing dry leaves and branches reduces the chance of bigger, more dangerous fires. Over many decades, prescribed burning has settled into a
Researchers develop sustainable technology to extract isoflavones from soybean meal
A study conducted at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, has proven the efficiency of a sustainable process for extracting isoflavones from soybean meal that increases their bioavailability.
Technology boosts hop production in Brazil and paves way for new bioproducts
Despite being the third-largest producer and consumer of beer worldwide, Brazil depends almost entirely on hop imports. Less than 1% of the ingredient responsible for the bitterness, aroma, and flavor of beer is grown locally. However, a new project involving Brazilian
Fossil hunters find tracks of animals from about 3 million years ago, a first in South Africa
South Africa is well known for its fossil heritage, a record of plants and animals that tells us what the world was like long ago.
DNA from soil could soon reveal who lived in ice age caves
The last two decades have seen a revolution in scientists' ability to reconstruct the past. This has been made possible through technological advances in the way DNA is extracted from ancient bones and analyzed.
Celebrities are cloning their pets, but the procedure risks animals' health and well-being
Pets just don't live long enough. We spend time, emotion, energy and lots of money caring for them, all while knowing we'll invariably outlive them.
Specific musical features have the power to make people bounce or sway, researchers discover
Some music is for grooving: It evokes spontaneous dancing, like head bopping, jumping, or arm swinging. Other music is for swaying, or for crying, or for slow dancing. Music makes people move, but whether musicians intentionally induce specific movements with their
Neural network helps detect gunshots from illegal rainforest poaching
Wildlife poaching remains a major conservation concern. Technological advancements have enabled webs of acoustic sensors to be deployed throughout rainforests, creating the possibility of real-time alerts to the sounds of gun-based poaching.
Vampire Squid Genome Offers Glimpse Into Octopus Evolution
Scientists decoded the elusive creature’s genome for the first time The post Vampire Squid Genome Offers Glimpse Into Octopus Evolution appeared first on Nautilus .
Will glacier melt lead to increased seismic activity in mountain regions?
A recent study published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters is the first to directly link earthquakes to climate change-induced glacial melt. Scientists analyzed 15 years of seismic activity in the Grandes Jorasses—a peak that is part of the Mont Blanc massif between Italy
A novel role for Zer1 may help cells combat neurodegeneration and oxidative stress
A team of researchers from Academia Sinica and National Taiwan University has identified the Drosophila Cul2 substrate adaptor DmZer1 as a key regulator of protein quality control, acting at the intersection of two major cellular cleanup systems: autophagy and the
Employee delight found to boost workplace motivation and team performance
Eight out of 10 people in Spain admit to being satisfied with their jobs, according to a survey by the 40dB Institute. But what would happen if these same workers were asked about their emotions and experiences? What if they were asked to recall the last time they felt
Flood risks in delta cities are increasing, Shanghai study finds
New research shows how the combination of extreme climate events, sea-level rise and land subsidence could create larger and deeper floods in coastal cities in future.
London's night workers face inequalities in pay, health, safety and dignity
A new study by UCL researchers has revealed the challenges faced by London's 1.3 million night workers, including pay inequality, health problems, transport difficulties, safety concerns and a lack of workplace dignity.
How have our satisfaction (and our productivity) with teleworking evolved since the COVID shock?
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the pace at which both employees and employers developed experience with telework. How has this changed employees' views on teleworking? Researchers at UGent@Work conducted a follow-up study to their authoritative survey at the start of the
Philosopher warns widespread schadenfreude undermines democratic norms
Schadenfreude seems to permeate American politics these days as viral clips and memes of politicians making real or AI-generated gaffes and off-color remarks are gleefully shared by ideological foes.
Scientists call for urgent measures to protect underwater forests in new global 'marine animal forests manifesto'
Scientists from around the world are calling for urgent action to protect, restore, and sustainably manage one of the ocean's least known yet most important ecosystems: the Marine Animal Forests. The appeal is presented in the document "Marine Animal Forests: A Manifesto,"
Carbon monoxide, the 'silent killer,' becomes a boon for fuel cell catalysts
Researchers have developed a technology that uses carbon monoxide, typically harmful to humans, to precisely control metal thin films at a thickness of 0.3 nanometers. This technology enables faster and simpler production of core–shell catalysts, a key factor in improving the
ChatGPT’s Biggest Foe: Poetry
How the machines miss threats smuggled inside lines of verse The post ChatGPT’s Biggest Foe: Poetry appeared first on Nautilus .
Rising heat leads to minimal losses for California processing of tomatoes
California's $1 billion tomato processing industry is highly efficient and likely will be able to withstand higher temperatures and traffic congestion with minimal postharvest losses, according to research conducted at the University of California, Davis.
CRISPR-based platform shines a brighter light on the link between cells and disease
For years, Yale researchers David Breslow and Mustafa Khokha have worked together with a similar challenge in their sights—trying to capture the interplay between certain genes and the pediatric developmental disorders they cause.
Plant 'first responder' cells warn neighbors about bacterial pathogens
Purdue University researchers found that a subset of epidermal cells in plant leaves serves as early responders to chemical cues from bacterial pathogens and communicate this information to neighbors through a local traveling wave of calcium ions. The properties of this local
