Headlines

SKA may detect magnetic fields on distant exoplanets

Studying exoplanets has given astronomers insights into the characteristics that could help them find life beyond Earth. For years, astronomers thought an exoplanet's location in a star's habitable zone was enough to make it an Earth-like world. But some stars are more active

Why a healthy seafloor matters for the Earth system

The seafloor is more than just the ground beneath the sea. Two-thirds of Earth's surface is covered by oceans, which have an average depth of almost 4 kilometers (2.5 miles). For a long time, the seafloor's remoteness protected it from widespread human disturbance. But that is

How social brains allow animal groups to escape danger

Social behavior is found across the tree of life, with animals of all types benefiting from living in a group environment. Large bird flocks and fish schools coordinate their actions by sharing information among individuals. This is especially important when groups are attacked

Q&A: Dynamic side of language development in toddlers

Overhearable speech (speech that may occur when caregivers are talking to each other in a child's presence) constitutes more than half of children's language exposure, but its role in language development remains underexplored. Researchers from the University of Chicago, The

Pigeons' proposed inner-ear compass runs into a noise problem

A pigeon turning its head might seem an unlikely electricity generator. Yet one proposed explanation for the bird's magnetic sense depends on exactly that: Turning through Earth's magnetic field would produce tiny electrical signals inside its ears. However, a theoretical study