From lunar nights to Martian dust storms: Why batteries struggle in space
Space agencies are no longer talking about visiting the moon, they're planning on living on it.
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Halley's Comet wrongly named: 11th-century English monk predates British astronomer
The British astronomer and mathematician Edmond Halley was not, after all, the first to understand the cycle of the comet that now bears his name. This is shown by research conducted by, among others, Professor Simon Portegies Zwart. It was the monk Eilmer of Malmesbury who, as
Multiwavelength variability reveals dust structure in quasars
A research team has investigated quasar variability by tracking optical to mid-infrared (MIR) wavelengths of variability information. This multiband joint analysis provides an opportunity to probe the dust structure in the quasar's central region and holds promise for revealing
Why singing, dancing and engaging with art is good for your health
Whether it be singing, dancing or crafting, engaging in the arts is good for our health, and we're beginning to understand how this behaviour affects our biology
Is AI a bubble that might burst?
It is hard to imagine that anyone could have missed the fact that such economic crashes occur from time to time—crashes that could have terrible consequences for individuals and society. In recent history, many vividly remember the IT bubble that burst twenty-five years ago
Astrophysicists discover largest sulfur-containing molecular compound in space
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE), in collaboration with astrophysicists from the Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), CSIC-INTA, have identified the largest sulfur-bearing molecule ever found in space: 2,5-cyclohexadiene-1-thione (C₆H₆S).
Florida reefs offer multimillion-dollar flood protection—if they survive
It's no secret that Florida's iconic coral reefs are in trouble. Repeated body blows from hurricanes, pollution, disease, climate change—and a near-knockout punch from a 2023 marine heat wave—has effectively wiped several species off the map and shrunk the reefs that stretch
Physics theories about the multiverse are stranger than fiction
Cosmology and quantum physics both offer tantalizing possibilities that we inhabit just one reality among many. But testing that idea is challenging.
Dolphins with more close friends age more slowly
A study of dolphins’ epigenetic ages found that animals with more high-quality friendships were biologically younger than their lonely peers
Hybrid megapests evolving in Brazil are a threat to crops worldwide
Two extremely damaging crop pests have interbred to create hybrids resistant to more than one pesticide that could cause serious problems in many countries
Study finds fisheries management—not predator recovery—drives catch levels in the North Sea
A new research study found that well-managed fisheries can support the recovery of large marine predators such as seals and porpoises, showing that conservation and sustainable seafood production can go hand in hand. While the impacts of protected species are often debated, the
This is the most complete skeleton yet of our ancestor Homo habilis
A partial skeleton dating back more than two million years is the most complete yet of Homo habilis, one of the earliest known species in our genus
Researchers show the insights drones can provide by monitoring corn on small farms
With already thin profit margins and increasingly uncertain farm labor and other input costs, precision agriculture technology could improve New England's small and medium-sized farms' efficiency, productivity, and resilience. Unfortunately, factors such as up-front costs and
What’s the biggest explosion in the universe?
From planet-scorching stellar outbursts to cataclysms so powerful they shiver the very fabric of spacetime, these are some of the biggest blasts our cosmos has to offer
Europa’s ice may be feeding a hidden ocean that could support life
Europa’s subsurface ocean might be getting fed after all. Scientists found that salty, nutrient-rich surface ice can become heavy enough to break free and sink through Europa’s icy shell, delivering essential ingredients to the ocean below. The process is fast, repeatable, and
Forensic science meets ancient art—inside the quest for Leonardo da Vinci’s DNA
Researchers are using cutting‑edge DNA techniques to hunt for genetic evidence in centuries‑old artworks in an effort to better understand the genius of Leonardo da Vinci
Feeling alone in a full office: Study reveals hidden epidemic of workplace loneliness
A comprehensive new review published in the Journal of Management synthesizes decades of research to understand the epidemic of workplace loneliness. By analyzing 233 empirical studies, researchers from Portland State University have identified how workplace conditions
SpaceX’s Starlink dodged 300,000 satellite collisions in 2025
The company’s mega-constellation is having to perform a huge number of manoeuvres to prevent a collision in Earth orbit
Why biological clocks get our 'true age' wrong – and how AI could help
Your chronological age can’t always tell you the state of your health, which is why biological clocks have been developed to show our risk of developing diseases or dying – but they’re not all they are cracked up to be, says columnist Graham Lawton
40 years of tree-tracking records reveal how global change is impacting Amazon and Andean Forest diversity
New research published in Nature Ecology and Evolution reveals significant recent shifts in tree diversity among the tropical forests of the Andes and Amazon, driven by global change.
When big snow and ice blow in, most people reach for salt. There are ways to reduce its harms
Winter has its fans, but even those who enjoy playing in the snow probably dislike the chore of clearing up after a big storm that dumps several inches or even feet of snow and ice.
Discovery of PITTs shows platelets can switch from clotting to driving vessel inflammation
A team from Würzburg has fundamentally changed our understanding of platelet biology. The researchers demonstrate that the surface protein integrin αIIbβ3 is not only a key molecule in blood clotting, but can also act as a pro-inflammatory effector during severe disease
Arctic blast to wallop N. America—is climate change to blame?
An unusually brutal winter storm is set to pummel more than 160 million Americans from Friday, as a stretched "polar vortex" sends a devastating blast of Arctic air, bringing heavy snows and freezing rains.
Scientists just overturned a 100-year-old rule of chemistry, and the results are “impossible”
Chemists at UCLA are showing that some of organic chemistry’s most famous “rules” aren’t as unbreakable as once thought. By creating bizarre, cage-shaped molecules with warped double bonds—structures long considered impossible—the team is opening the door to entirely new kinds
Why did magic mushrooms evolve? We may finally have the answer
Many species of fungus across the world produce psilocybin, a chemical with psychedelic effects in humans, but its evolutionary purpose may be to deter mushroom-munching insects
Whales may divide resources to co-exist under pressures from climate change
The North Atlantic Ocean is warming up. Higher temperatures and increased human activity in the region can trigger abrupt changes in marine ecosystems, for example, how species are distributed and what they eat.
Scientists ranked monogamy across mammals and humans stand out
A new study suggests humans belong in an elite “league of monogamy,” ranking closer to beavers and meerkats than to chimpanzees. By comparing full and half siblings across species and human cultures, researchers found that long-term pair bonding is unusually common in our
This new antibody may stop one of the deadliest breast cancers
Researchers have identified a promising new weapon against triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. An experimental antibody targets a protein that fuels tumor growth and shuts down immune defenses, effectively turning the immune system
Q&A: Is liverwort humanity's savior? Possibilities in food and medicine
Research on using Marchantia polymorpha, commonly known as liverwort, a plant closely related to moss, for food and as an ingredient in medicine and supplements is being conducted at Kobe University.
Drones and satellites can measure methane emissions from ruminants
A new study combines drone data, satellite observations, and ground-based flux measurements to examine methane emissions from ruminants in Kenya. The research represents a pioneering effort to quantify methane (CH₄) emissions from livestock using drones in sub-Saharan Africa.
Colorado confirms it won't release more wolves this winter after feds stopped deal with Canada
Colorado will not release more wolves this winter to supplement its reintroduction program after federal officials stopped the planned relocation of wolves from Canada.
Mobile lab pinpoints wood stoves and old power plants as Sarajevo's smog sources
Worldwide, it ranks among the cities with the highest levels of air pollution—and it's located in the heart of Europe: Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Previously, the spatial distribution of air pollutants here was largely unknown, as were their sources. Now
NASA head Isaacman tempers Artemis praise with ideas on the program's future
Even as NASA celebrated the rollout of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft for Artemis II over the weekend, NASA's new administrator, Jared Isaacman, made sure to put an asterisk on the program's future.
Tiny Evidence Upends a Controversial Stonehenge Theory
Researchers curious about the monument’s origins stuck their heads in the sand—for good reason The post Tiny Evidence Upends a Controversial Stonehenge Theory appeared first on Nautilus .
Space Dust Could Contain Building Blocks of Life
Protein precursors can form in cosmic dust clouds The post Space Dust Could Contain Building Blocks of Life appeared first on Nautilus .
Cells that are not our own may unlock secrets about our health
During pregnancy, maternal and fetal cells migrate back and forth across the placenta, with fetal cells entering the mother's bloodstream and tissues. They can settle in maternal organs such as the thyroid, liver, lungs, brain and heart—and can persist there for decades.
Paying attention to birdsong while walking in nature can boost well-being, my research shows
There's no question that being in nature is good for well-being. Research shows that experiencing nature and listening to natural sounds can relax us.
Sharktober: Scientists confirm spike in tiger shark bites in October
New University of Hawaiʻi research confirms that "Sharktober" is real, revealing a statistically significant spike in shark bite incidents in Hawaiian waters every October. The study, which analyzed 30 years of data (1995–2024), found that about 20% of all recorded bites
New analysis disputes historic earthquake, tsunami and death toll on Greek island
For decades, researchers thought that an October 1843 earthquake on the small Greek island of Chalke caused a powerful tsunami and led to the deaths of as many as 600 people. But a new analysis of primary accounts of the event by Ioanna Triantafyllou at Hellenic Mediterranean
Tungsten carbide phase control: Engineering a low-cost alternative catalyst for producing sustainable petrochemicals
Important everyday products—from plastics to detergents—are made through chemical reactions that mostly use precious metals such as platinum as catalysts. Scientists have been searching for more sustainable, low-cost substitutes for years, and tungsten carbide—an Earth-abundant
Meadows reveal unexpected monotony in insect biodiversity study
According to a new study by the University of Würzburg, Bavarian meadows are the most monotonous insect habitats. Surprisingly, fields and settlements often offer more diversity than grassland.
Biofilm streamers harden under flow, making bacterial infections harder to treat
Whether in the human body or on surfaces, bacteria protect themselves from outside attackers using biofilms. Physicist Eleonora Secchi is researching how these slime-like protective films are formed, with the aim of making it easier to remove pathogenic bacteria.
Climate adaptation may ease migration pressures in Africa
Africa confronts escalating internal migration and displacement crises fueled by intensifying climate hazards—particularly prolonged droughts—and persistent armed conflicts, which compound vulnerabilities across the continent.
Cellulose-based composite sheet exhibits simultaneous adsorption and shielding of radioactive elements
Researchers at University of Tsukuba have developed a cellulose-based composite sheet that integrates paper pulp with starch, polyaniline (a conductive polymer), Prussian blue (a coordination compound), and alginic acid (a natural polysaccharide). These components were
Hubble uncovers the secret of blue straggler stars that defy aging
Some stars appear to defy time itself. Nestled within ancient star clusters, they shine bluer and brighter than their neighbors, looking far younger than their true age. Known as blue straggler stars, these stellar oddities have puzzled astronomers for more than 70 years. Now,
Colon cancer is killing more young people in the U.S. than any other cancer
Fewer people under age 50 are dying from cancer in the U.S., but colorectal cancer mortality rates continue to surge
Domestication has changed the chemicals that squash flowers use to attract bees
Flowers emit scented chemicals to attract pollinators, but this perfume—and how pollinators interact with the plant—can go through profound changes as a crop becomes domesticated.
New code connects microscopic insights to the macroscopic world
In inertial confinement fusion, a capsule of fuel begins at temperatures near zero and pressures close to vacuum. When lasers compress that fuel to trigger fusion, the material heats up to millions of degrees and reaches pressures similar to the core of the sun. That process
Molecular surgery: 'Deleting' a single atom from a molecule
Inserting, removing or swapping individual atoms from the core of a molecule is a long-standing challenge in chemistry. This process, called skeletal editing, can dramatically speed up drug discovery or be applied for upcycling of plastics. Consequently, the field is witnessing
A new optical centrifuge is helping physicists probe the mysteries of superfluids
Physicists have used a new optical centrifuge to control the rotation of molecules suspended in liquid helium nano-droplets, bringing them a step closer to demystifying the behavior of exotic, frictionless superfluids.
