People are betting on measles outbreaks – and that might be useful
Millions of dollars are being spent on wagers predicting measles outbreaks in the US, which could help researchers modelling the spread of the disease
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Is consciousness more fundamental to reality than quantum physics?
The idea that everything that exists can be built from the bottom up has long held sway among physicists. Now, a new kind of science is under construction that centres conscious experience – and might unravel the universe’s biggest mysteries
Where Brains Process Smell
First “smell map” reveals organization where scientists had predicted chaos The post Where Brains Process Smell appeared first on Nautilus .
Watch Astrobotic’s latest record-breaking ‘ring of fire’ rocket engine test
Rotating detonation rocket engines work differently than traditional rockets to maximize thrust while using less fuel—an advantage that could help spacecraft explore farther in the solar system
NASA Curiosity rover finds mysterious life linked molecules on mars
Curiosity has detected a surprising variety of organic molecules on Mars, including compounds tied to the chemistry of life. Some of these molecules may be billions of years old, preserved in ancient clay-rich rocks that once held water. One standout find resembles building
Humanoid robots may be about to break the 100-metre sprint record
Robots can now run a half-marathon faster than humans and are rapidly homing in on the 100-metre sprint record. But why are companies so keen to create speedy robots that have no obvious application in homes or factories?
Uranus has weird rings. Astronomers now know the source of two of them
The Nu ring seems to be fed by unknown rocky bodies, whereas the Mu ring appears rich in water ice and linked to the moon Mab.
Scientists catch antimatter “atom” acting like a wave for the first time
Quantum physics once shocked scientists by revealing that particles can behave like waves—and now, that strange behavior has been pushed even further. For the first time, researchers have observed wave-like interference in positronium, an exotic “atom” made of an electron and
MIT scientists turn chaotic laser light into powerful brain imaging tool
Scientists at MIT discovered that chaotic laser light can spontaneously form a highly focused beam instead of scattering—if the conditions are just right. This “pencil beam” enabled them to image the blood-brain barrier in 3D at speeds 25 times faster than existing techniques.
Your dreams aren’t random. Here’s what’s really happening
Dreams are more structured than they seem, shaped by both personal traits and real-world experiences. Researchers found that the brain doesn’t just replay daily life—it reshapes it into imaginative, sometimes surreal scenarios. People who mind-wander more tend to have
Polycystic ovary syndrome might affect men, too. Here’s how
A condition that affects 10 to 15 percent of women may affect men, too. But many doctors don’t know about it
How I pay almost nothing to power my house and electric car
The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz has seen energy prices soar, but Alice Klein pays just A$25 (£13) a month for her electricity, even when charging an electric car or running an air conditioner.
We may finally have a cure for many different autoimmune conditions
A revolutionary cancer treatment is now being applied to a wide range of autoimmune disorders. Columnist Michael Le Page finds it is proving to be even more effective than expected
War in Iran spotlights the risk to drinking water for millions in the Persian Gulf
Direct attacks, oil spills and the threat of nuclear waste are putting the Gulf region’s desalination plants at risk—here’s why that matters
Scientists think they finally know why Neanderthals vanished
A new study suggests Neanderthals didn’t go extinct simply because of climate change or competition with Homo sapiens. Instead, the key difference may have been social connectivity—Homo sapiens formed stronger, more flexible networks that helped them survive environmental
This massive 3D map of 47 million galaxies could unlock dark energy
A massive cosmic milestone has just been reached: scientists have completed the largest high-resolution 3D map of the universe ever created. Built using data from over 47 million galaxies and quasars, this map could unlock new clues about dark energy—the mysterious force
Vitamin D boosts breast cancer treatment success by 79%
A daily vitamin D supplement may quietly supercharge chemotherapy. In a small study, women who took low doses alongside treatment were far more likely to see their cancer vanish than those who didn’t. Since vitamin D also supports immune function—and many patients are
Scientists capture electrons forming strange patchy patterns inside quantum materials
Researchers have, for the first time, directly visualized how electronic patterns known as charge density waves evolve across a phase transition. Using cutting-edge microscopy, they found these patterns form unevenly, breaking into patches influenced by tiny structural
Scientists discover enzyme that could supercharge Ozempic
Researchers have found an enzyme that can turn fragile drug molecules into durable ring shapes. This could help medications like Ozempic last longer and work more effectively. The process is simpler and more precise than traditional methods, even for complex drugs. It may open
Two whale groups separated by seas—but not by genes, study finds
A paper in Genome Biology and Evolution discovers that the endangered Mediterranean fin whale is not completely isolated from Atlantic groups. Both Atlantic and Mediterranean populations have declined for the past 200,000 years. Considering more recent threats to the whales,
The Things That Fuel Our Dreams
“What dreams may come” depends on your personality The post The Things That Fuel Our Dreams appeared first on Nautilus .
Maya collapse mystery deepens as scientists find no drought at key site
The mysterious collapse of the Maya civilization may not have been driven solely by drought after all. New evidence from lake sediments in Guatemala reveals that one key city, Itzan, enjoyed a stable climate even as its population abruptly vanished. Instead of environmental
Proportional voting method could enhance electoral representation and group decision-making
Researchers from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), in collaboration with international experts, have published a scientific study on how to ensure that the selection of committees and expert groups is mathematically fair and proportional, preventing significant
What is black garlic? How heat and humidity turn a pungent ingredient mild and slightly sweet
You may have seen black garlic appear more frequently in grocery stores, restaurants, and online recipes over the past few years. Many chefs and food writers describe it as a unique and deeply flavored ingredient. So what is black garlic, and how is it made?
Firehorse superstition helps uncover why women's education may not drive Japan's fertility decline
The rapidly declining marriage and fertility rates across developed East Asian societies strain pension and health care systems, threaten economic growth, and reshape entire societies. To tackle this issue, governments in Japan and across East Asia have invested heavily in
JWST hunts for an 'Earth-moon' twin in a habitable zone, but the star has other plans
The moon has played a huge role in the development of Earth. It stabilizes the planet, tempers dramatic climate swings, and possibly even provides the tidal heating that might have led to the first life forms. So it's natural we would want to find a similar Earth/Luna system
An unprecedented Antarctic heat wave hit in the dead of winter—what it signals for the decades ahead
In the middle of the Antarctic winter, during months of darkness when temperatures often dip below −30°C, the continent warmed dramatically. In July and August 2024, temperatures in parts of East Antarctica rose by up to 28°C above average and stayed high for more than two
Beating and bleeding dummy hearts to train surgeons for emergency trauma injuries
Graphic warning: This story contains images of realistic-looking fake open-heart surgery.
Room-temperature vibrations could transform how industry makes graphene
Researchers have demonstrated a new technique for creating 2D materials that runs at room temperature and increases production rates tenfold over current methods, without using toxic solvents. Scientists led by Dr. Jason Stafford from the Department of Mechanical Engineering
This ultracold quantum device turns electricity into something far stranger that could unlock sound-based lasers
Researchers at McGill University have developed a novel device that generates sound-like particles known as phonons at extremely cold temperatures. The technology could be used to create phonon lasers, with possible applications in communications and medical diagnostics.
Sewers have been hiding a climate problem in plain sight, and this new tool finally exposes its true scale
Methane is the second-largest greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. According to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, anthropogenic methane emissions account for nearly 45% of current net warming, making it an important factor in global warming. An international research team
How principles of self‑compassion help fight loneliness in the age of AI
Amid a rapid, AI-driven technology boom and all the changes it's entailed, mental health issues due to social isolation have been on the rise. Researchers in social and clinical psychology have documented this shift and coined it the "loneliness epidemic."
Simulations predict ground motion for earthquakes on Bay Area's Hayward fault
The Hayward fault, part of the larger San Andreas fault system, runs 74 miles through the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. The fault is overdue for an earthquake that could cause extensive damage to such a dense population zone.
Trump’s War on Science Continues
As sacked National Science Board members and lawmakers speak out, US research preeminence further dims on the international stage The post Trump’s War on Science Continues appeared first on Nautilus .
Light-based scans reveal how cells can be stable yet adaptable
Our cells adjust to ever-changing conditions while preserving internal states necessary for survival, but exactly how they achieve both adaptability and stability remains unclear. For the first time, researchers have used a light-based technique called Raman spectroscopy to
Fragile no more, nickelates get an upgrade that changes how superconductivity endures
Discovered in 2019, the material known as nickelates has intrigued researchers for its potential to become a superconductor at elevated temperatures—a property that could significantly advance such fields as quantum science and energy transmission. However, it's a very unstable
Predators and prey: What studying animals teaches us about toxic work environments
Interpersonal tensions between colleagues can be costly for businesses. Even the specter of a threat can sap concentration, undermine collaboration, and divert huge amounts of mental energy away from work and toward self-defense.
Rivers worldwide reveal greenhouse gas rise that's been overlooked for decades
Rivers worldwide are under severe stress: they are warming, losing oxygen, and as a result emitting increasing amounts of greenhouse gases. Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have now quantified these global trends over a period of more than two decades.
Aligned cells may explain why some wounds heal faster than others
Understanding how wounds heal after injury could be a step closer thanks to a new mathematical model developed by researchers at the University of Bristol. The study, published in Physical Review Letters, builds on previous work in fruit flies, where the researchers observed
Offshore winds identified as a culprit in coastal floods, research finds
A Florida International University student has exposed a hidden driver of coastal flooding, and it could help improve warning systems for entire communities. Earth and Environment Ph.D. student Dafrosa Kataraihya's latest research, published in Natural Hazards, shows that winds
The science behind the Adidas shoes that helped two marathoners break the two-hour mark
A sub-two-hour marathon has long been seen as a tantalizing benchmark for elite runners—and shoemakers have been in a race to design footwear that can help them get there
Music fans separate artists' controversies from their art, study finds
Music streaming platforms such as Spotify hold tremendous power over whether fans listen to a musical artist, while social media boycotts have less impact, according to a new Cornell study. Jura Liaukonyte, professor at the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and
At just four nanometers thick, this metal starts behaving in a way physicists did not expect
Researchers in the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have discovered a powerful new way to control the electronic behavior of a metal—by manipulating the atomic properties of materials where they meet. The study, published in Nature Communications, demonstrates that
Breaking connections helps ideas spread farther, says physics-based study
Sticking with the same people might feel safe and comfortable. But a new Northwestern University study suggests it can actually trap new ideas and behaviors inside tight echo chambers. By contrast, the research, published in Communications Physics, shows that when interactions
Beyond city limits: New ecology framework links urban, rural and wild landscapes
As cities sprawl into suburbs and exurbs, the distinction between urban areas and the countryside has become increasingly blurry. A new paper published in npj Urban Sustainability proposes that many modern landscapes can be managed more holistically when they are understood as
Machine learning offers faster, more reliable analysis of Fermi surfaces in search of spintronic materials
The search for next-generation electronic materials often starts with studying the Fermi surface, which serves as a map of a material's electronic structure. Its shape varies with crystal structure, composition, and electronic band arrangement, directly impacting properties
Specially designed material combines light and electricity to remove PFAS from water without harmful byproducts
Researchers at Clarkson University have reported a breakthrough in tackling per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of widely used "forever chemicals" that are difficult to remove from water and have raised growing environmental and public health concerns. The
Why Cooperation Falls Apart Over Time
It’s a question of motivation The post Why Cooperation Falls Apart Over Time appeared first on Nautilus .
Why stars spin down, or up, before they die
From birth to death, stars generally slow by 100 to 1,000 times their initial rotation rates; in other words, they "spin down." The sun's total angular momentum has declined as material is gradually blown off at the surface as solar wind. By observing this, astronomers have
Scrapped inheritance tax linked to stronger growth in private firms with heirs, shows study in Sweden
After Sweden removed inheritance and gift taxes in 2005, private firms with potential family successors grew faster, invested more, and paid higher corporate taxes than firms without natural heirs, according to a new white paper from the Stockholm School of Economics. The study
