Launching the idea of data centers in space
Tech firms are floating the idea of building data centers in space and tapping into the sun's energy to meet out-of-this-world power demands in a fierce artificial intelligence race.
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Genetic analysis of Deep Maniot Greeks reveals a unique lineage in the Balkans
A new genetic study has revealed that the people of Deep Mani, who inhabit one of the remotest regions of mainland Greece, represent one of the most genetically distinctive populations in Europe, shaped by more than a millennium of isolation. The findings, published in
Engineered antibody targets bacteria-specific sugar, clears lethal drug-resistant infection in mice
Australian researchers have developed a powerful new way to target deadly, drug-resistant bacteria by designing antibodies that recognize a sugar found only on bacterial cells—an advance that could underpin a new generation of immunotherapies for multidrug resistant
Melting Antarctic ice may weaken a major carbon sink
Melting ice from West Antarctica once delivered huge amounts of iron to the Southern Ocean, but algae growth did not increase as expected. Researchers found the iron was in a form that marine life could not easily use. This means more melting ice does not automatically boost
Why heart disease risk in type 2 diabetes looks different for men and women
Scientists are digging into why heart disease risk in type 2 diabetes differs between men and women—and sex hormones may be part of the story. In a large Johns Hopkins study, men with higher testosterone had lower heart disease risk, while rising estradiol levels were linked to
The genetic turning point that made backbones possible
Scientists have uncovered a surprising genetic shift that may explain how animals with backbones—from fish and frogs to humans—became so complex. By comparing sea squirts, lampreys, and frogs, researchers found that key genes controlling cell communication began producing many
Sound machines might be making your sleep worse
Sound machines may not be the sleep saviors many believe. Researchers found that pink noise significantly reduced REM sleep, while simple earplugs did a better job protecting deep, restorative sleep from traffic noise. When pink noise was combined with outside noise, sleep
The possible applications of olive pomace: A study reveals the most sustainable option
The extraction of olive pomace oil is cited as the most sustainable alternative for the recovery of the olive oil industry's byproducts, according to a methodology developed by the UCO that considers economic, environmental and social indicators. The olive oil industry is a
NASA's Artemis II plans to send a crew around the moon to test equipment and lay the groundwork for a future landing
Almost as tall as a football field, NASA's Space Launch System rocket and capsule stack traveled slowly—just under one mile per hour—out to the Artemis II launchpad, its temporary home at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on Jan. 17, 2026.
Q&A: What we've learned about how students are using AI, and how to help them
Much is being said about the wonders of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it is the new frontier. And while it provides amazing possibilities in fields like medicine, academics are debating its advantages for university students.
Mediterranean pine needle loss analyzed for more efficient forest management
Reforested areas in the Baza (Granada) and Los Filabres (Almería) mountain ranges have experienced severe die-offs in recent years, with extensive woodland loss. Needle or leaf loss (defoliation) is one of the best indicators of tree health, particularly in pine forests under
A human tendency to value expertise, not just sheer power, explains how some social hierarchies form
Born on the same day, Bill and Ben both grew up to have high status. But in every other way they were polar opposites.
Why the idea of an 'ideal worker' can be so harmful for people with mental health conditions
In the modern world of work, the "ideal worker" is a dominant yet dangerous concept that can dictate workplace norms and expectations. This archetype describes an employee who is boundlessly productive, constantly available and emotionally stable at all times.
Cryogenic cooling material composed solely of abundant elements reaches 4K
In collaboration with the National Institute of Technology (KOSEN), Oshima College, the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) succeeded in developing a new regenerator material composed solely of abundant elements, such as copper, iron, and aluminum, that can achieve
Medieval women used falconry to subvert gender norms
Hawks are taking cinematic flight. In two recent literary adaptations, they are entwined with the lives and emotions of their respective protagonists – Agnes Shakespeare (née Hathaway) and Helen Macdonald.
Why futuristic, tech-centered 'smart city' projects are destined to fail
For residents of European cities—with their snarled traffic, drafty old buildings, creaking public services and gray winters—it's easy to see the appeal of moving to a brand-new, high-tech metropolis.
Reading the moon's diary, one speck of dust at a time
Magnetism on the moon has always been a bit confusing. Remote sensing probes have noted there is some magnetic signature, but far from the strong cocoon that surrounds Earth itself. Previous attempts to detect it in returned regolith samples blended together all of the rocks in
Innate biases of newborn animals inspire adaptive decision-making model
Precocial animals, the ones that move autonomously within hours after hatching or birth, have many biases they are born with that help them survive, finds a new paper led by Queen Mary University of London, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.
Political division in the US surged from 2008 onward, study suggests
Divisions within the US population on social and political issues have increased by 64% since 1988, with almost all this coming after 2008, according to a study tracking polarization from the end of the Reagan era to the dawn of Trump's second term.
What's the point of a space station around the moon?
The Lunar Gateway is a planned space station that will orbit the moon. It is part of the NASA‑led Artemis program. Artemis aims to return humans to the moon, establishing a sustainable presence there for scientific and commercial purposes, and eventually reach Mars.
Reproduction in space, an environment hostile to human biology
As commercial spaceflight draws ever closer and time spent in space continues to extend, the question of reproductive health beyond the bounds of planet Earth is no longer theoretical but now "urgently practical," according to a new study published in the journal Reproductive
How Gambling Addiction Is Changing in a Polymarket World
The ways in which sports betting and predictive markets are ruining lives The post How Gambling Addiction Is Changing in a Polymarket World appeared first on Nautilus .
Urban light pollution disrupts nighttime melatonin in wild nurse sharks
Artificial light from major coastal cities can disrupt the nighttime biology of sharks, according to new research that provides the first-ever measurements of melatonin—a hormone tied to biological rhythms—in wild sharks.
Study finds long-term research partnerships can strengthen sustainable urban farming
In South and West Dallas, initiatives like Restorative Farms have turned vacant lots into hubs for fresh produce, job training, and sustainable practices such as hydroponics—helping combat food deserts and build local food networks. More complex than small community gardens,
Modeling finds old-growth wildfire risk highest where low-severity fires once burned
A new analysis shows that the Pacific Northwest's mature and old-growth forests are most at risk of severe wildfire in areas that historically burned frequently at lower severity. The study by scientists at Oregon State University and USDA Forest Service Research & Development
New framework maps seven pillars for judging research trustworthiness
A new paper proposes a systems-level framework for evaluating the trustworthiness of research findings across methods and approaches. The paper, titled "A Framework for Assessing the Trustworthiness of Research Findings," is authored by a multidisciplinary group of research
One-of-a-kind 'plasma tunnel' recreates extreme conditions spacecraft face upon reentry
Picture a spacecraft returning to Earth after a long journey. The vehicle slams into the planet's atmosphere at roughly 17,000 miles per hour. A shockwave erupts. Molecules in the air are ripped apart, forming a plasma—a gas made of charged particles that can reach tens of
Under snowpacks, microbes drive a winter-to-spring nitrogen pulse, study finds
When snow blankets the landscape, it may seem like life slows down. But beneath the surface, an entire world of activity is unfolding.
When Liars Are Perceived as More Moral
New research reveals complex attitudes about prosocial lies The post When Liars Are Perceived as More Moral appeared first on Nautilus .
Global plastics treaty negotiations: Success is still possible, researchers argue
Plastic pollution is causing severe problems worldwide. However, negotiations at the United Nations in Geneva last August did not result in the expected global plastics treaty. On 7 February 2026, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution will
Agave or bust! Mexican long-nosed bats head farther north in search of sweet nectar
Mexican long-nosed bats have a taste for agave, their tongues designed to lap up the famous desert plant's nectar during nightly flights. It's not just a means of satisfying taste buds. It's a matter of fueling up for an arduous journey.
SpaceX grounds Falcon 9 missions, could impact ISS launch
NASA said Tuesday its next crew rotation to the International Space Station could be delayed after SpaceX announced it was grounding flights of its Falcon 9 rocket to investigate an unspecified issue.
Even larvae mind the social bubble: How they adjust their behavior in response to social surroundings
Imagine enjoying a tasty dinner alone at home—you may freely indulge without worrying about others. Now imagine sharing the same meal with friends or colleagues: depending on the social context, you may find yourself eating more carefully, adapting your food choices,
The rise and fall (and rise again) of gold prices: What's going on?
In late January, the gold price reached an all-time peak of around US $5,500 (£4,025). January 30 saw one of the largest one-day falls in prices, which sank by nearly 10% after hitting a record high only the day before.
Supermassive black holes sit in 'eye of their own storms,' studies find
Gigantic black holes lurk at the center of virtually every galaxy, including ours, but we've lacked a precise picture of what impact they have on their surroundings. However, a University of Chicago-led group of scientists has used data from a recently launched satellite to
AI systems could identify math anxiety from student inputs and change feedback
Math anxiety is a significant challenge for students worldwide. While personalized support is widely recognized as the most effective way to address it, many teachers struggle to deliver this level of support at scale within busy classrooms. New research from Adelaide
Warmer Northeast Atlantic waters and heavy fishing leave cod and haddock chasing smaller prey
Fish across Britain's seas face ever-smaller meals as warmer seas and commercial fishing squeeze ocean food webs, new research suggests. Research by the University of Essex and the UK Government's Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) found strains
A UK climate security report backed by the intelligence services was quietly buried until now
Last autumn, a UK government report warned that climate-driven ecosystem collapse could lead to food shortages, mass migration, political extremism and even nuclear conflict. The report was never officially launched.
Not an artifact, but an ancestor: Why a German university is returning a Māori taonga
Restitution debates—the questions of whether a cultural object should be returned from a museum or other collection to a person or community—often begin with a deceptively simple question: Who owns an object?
Let There Be Dark
To unleash your imagination, step out of the light The post Let There Be Dark appeared first on Nautilus .
Study highlights stressed faults in potential shale gas region in South Africa
A swarm of small earthquakes within the Karoo Basin in South Africa has revealed a critically stressed fault that could be perturbed by potential shale gas exploration in the area, according to a new report. The analysis by Benjamin Whitehead of the University of Cape Town and
Grad Student Homebrews Cosmic Dust in the Lab
“It’s like we have recreated a little bit of the universe in a bottle in our lab” The post Grad Student Homebrews Cosmic Dust in the Lab appeared first on Nautilus .
Cosmic radiation brought to light: Researchers measure ionization in dark cloud for the first time
Where starlight doesn't reach, new things are born: For the first time, an international research team has directly measured the effect of cosmic radiation in a cold molecular cloud. The observation shows how charged high-energy particles influence the gas in these lightless
Research finds 'cheap stock' options common before IPOs, averaging fivefold gains
Before the opening bell ever rings on a company's initial public offerings, some of the executives may already be sitting on a quiet windfall.
Ozone-depleting CFCs detected in historical measurements—20 years earlier than previously known
An international research team led by the University of Bremen has detected chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in Earth's atmosphere for the first time in historical measurements from 1951—20 years earlier than previously known. This surprising glimpse into the past was made possible
New mineral sunscreen reduces white cast by using tetrapod-shaped zinc oxide
UCLA researchers have developed a mineral sunscreen formulation that significantly reduces the white, chalky cast that keeps many people from wearing sun protection daily. For decades, dermatologists have urged people to apply sunscreen daily to protect against ultraviolet
Physicists achieve near-zero friction on macroscopic scales
For the first time, physicists in China have virtually eliminated the friction felt between two surfaces at scales visible to the naked eye. In demonstrating "structural superlubricity," the team, led by Quanshui Zheng at Tsinghua University, have resolved a long-standing
Maps offer neighborhood-level insight into American migration
California's most devastating wildfire—the 2018 Camp Fire, which killed 85 and destroyed nearly 19,000 structures—forced nearly half of all residents living within designated fire perimeters to relocate within a year.
Dutch air force reads pilots' brainwaves to make training harder
While pilots are flying in a VR simulation, their brainwave patterns can be fed into an AI model that assesses how challenging they are finding a task and adjusts the difficulty accordingly
The weird rules of temperature get even stranger in the quantum realm
Can a single particle have a temperature? It may seem impossible with our standard understanding of temperature, but columnist Jacklin Kwan finds that it’s not exactly ruled out in the quantum realm
