Passage from Homer’s Iliad discovered in the abdomen of a Roman-era Egyptian mummy
A snippet of text from Homer’s famous epic recounting the siege of Troy was apparently placed inside this body as part of the mummification process
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For the first time, scientists pinpoint the brain cells behind depression
Scientists have identified two specific types of brain cells that behave differently in people with depression, offering a clearer picture of what is happening inside the brain. By analyzing donated brain tissue with advanced genetic tools, the researchers found changes in
In Eastern Africa, the cradle of humankind is tearing apart
Eastern Africa's Turkana Rift is both a hotbed for fossil discoveries of our earliest ancestors and a literal hotbed of volcanic activity caused by shifting tectonic plates. Now researchers have found that Earth's underlying crust in the region has been significantly thinned,
A volcanic mystery reveals that rising magma has a stealth mode
In 2022 a swarm of earthquakes in the Azores suggested that an eruption was imminent, but none happened. Now we know why, and it means magma can be sneakier than we knew
Simple “gut reset” may stop weight gain after Ozempic or Wegovy
A new minimally invasive procedure may help people keep weight off after stopping popular drugs like Ozempic and semaglutide—something most patients struggle with. In a clinical trial, those who underwent a technique called duodenal mucosal resurfacing regained far less weight
This new brain-like chip could slash AI energy use by 70%
A breakthrough in brain-inspired computing could make today’s energy-hungry AI systems far more efficient. Researchers have engineered a new nanoelectronic device using a modified form of hafnium oxide that mimics how neurons process and store information at the same time.
Scientists discover hidden forces are warping Earth deep beneath the surface
Scientists have mapped how Earth’s deepest mantle is being deformed—and the results point to long-lost tectonic plates buried thousands of kilometers underground. Using a massive global dataset of seismic waves, they found that most deformation happens in regions where these
This ancient crocodile relative grew up on four legs then walked on two
A bizarre crocodile relative from the age of dinosaurs is rewriting what scientists thought they knew about ancient reptiles. This poodle-sized creature, called Sonselasuchus cedrus, appears to have started life walking on all fours before shifting to a two-legged stance as it
289-million-year-old mummified reptile reveals how breathing began on land
A remarkably preserved, mummified reptile from 289 million years ago is rewriting what we know about how animals first breathed on land. This tiny creature, Captorhinus aguti, reveals the earliest known version of the rib-powered breathing system used by modern reptiles, birds,
Scientists create plastic that destroys viruses on contact
A new virus-fighting plastic film could transform everyday surfaces into invisible defenders against disease. Instead of relying on chemicals, this flexible material is covered in microscopic pillars that physically stretch viruses until they burst, rendering them harmless. In
Accelerating drug discovery with fragment screening
Modern medicine has played a significant role in improving the length and quality of our lives. While many treatments may seem like miracles, they are the result of a lengthy, rigorous research process. Drug discovery is a particularly time-consuming and costly activity that is
New study presents the eLTER Framework of Standard Observations for long-term, integrated environmental monitoring
A new study published in Earth's Future introduces the eLTER Framework of Standard Observations (eLTER SO)—a structured, harmonized system designed to support consistent long-term environmental observation across Europe. The paper, "Achieving harmonized and integrated long-term
Peptide synthesis could stop global potato pathogen once linked to Ireland's Great Famine
Scientists in Sweden have taken an important step toward fighting potato late blight, a plant disease that once triggered a historic famine in Ireland and now threatens to spread globally due to climate change. A new study reports the synthesis of a peptide that specifically
This simple fatty acid could restore failing vision
Scientists at UC Irvine have found a way to potentially reverse age-related vision loss by targeting the ELOVL2 “aging gene” and restoring vital fatty acids in the retina. Their experiments in mice show that supplementing with specific polyunsaturated fatty acids—not just
Image: Belts of green in the Washington suburbs
Along the northeast side of the Capital Beltway in Maryland, green spaces weave through the developed landscape.
What intentional communities can teach us about resilience amid global instability
As conflict intensifies in the Middle East, energy markets swing wildly and the cost of living keeps climbing, a pressing question is emerging for anyone who is tied in to the fluctuating energy and food markets: how do we build resilience?
Promiscuity and parental behavior in birds are driven by demographics, not the other way around
New research shows that variation in mating behaviors, parental care and differences in ornamentation of the sexes in bird species is driven by demographics rather than vice versa. An international team of researchers from the UK, China, Germany and Hungary looked at 261
Chicken gene-editing advance opens path to drug-producing eggs
Chicken eggs are already used to harvest helpful proteins called antibodies to protect humans from viruses such as influenza. Now, a breakthrough at the University of Missouri could one day lead to chickens that produce other useful medical proteins in their eggs.
Stellar flares may expand habitable zones around small stars
The search for life beyond Earth has traditionally focused on exoplanets orbiting sun-like stars, which is a G-type star. However, low-mass stars, which are designated as K-type and M-type stars, have rapidly become a target for astrobiology, primarily due to their much longer
Q&A: Scientists decode the logic behind cells' mysterious protein stockpiles
As far as research subjects go, it's not always easy to find common ground with a single-celled bacterium. Yet the more Paul Wiggins studies his model bacteria, Acinetobacter baylyi, the more he sees surprising commonalities between their behavior and our own as humans.
Cosmetics from waste? Microbial discovery unlocks greener route to high-value chemical products
Researchers at University of Toronto's Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry have made a key discovery about how certain bacterial strains produce a set of economically valuable chemicals—opening the door to new, more sustainable production methods. The
The 'resource curse': Why natural resource abundance can be a double-edged sword
Natural resources—such as fossil fuels, water, and minerals—are materials found in the environment that are essential for life and highly utilized in production. Though these resources are viewed as essential to economic development and wealth, many resource-rich countries have
Measuring how stressed rocks 'sigh' before breaking could help predict geohazards
Too much stress can make even a rock crack. But before rocks reach their breaking point, they "sigh" a chemical warning by releasing nuclides, a type of atom defined by the number of neutrons as well as protons in the nucleus. Scientists have studied these naturally occurring
Rethinking augmented reality for children: Study finds key design gap
For decades, technology in schools meant desktop computers and basic digital instruction. Today, more immersive tools are beginning to reach children, changing how they interact with information and their surroundings. As these tools become more advanced, researchers at USF are
This volcano that 'slept' for 100,000 years was never truly quiet
For more than 100,000 years, the Methana volcano in Greece appeared dormant. No lava, no explosions, no ash clouds. It appeared extinct, like many other volcanoes today. An international research team led by ETH Zurich has reconstructed a detailed, long-term history of the
How a faster protein-screening tool could strengthen US rare-earth supply chains
To ensure a robust domestic supply chain in the U.S., Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) scientists are using bacterial proteins to separate the rare-earth elements that are ubiquitous in magnets, batteries, and electronics. These proteins, called lanmodulin, evolved
NASA eyes September for Roman Telescope launch
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope team now is targeting as soon as early September 2026 for launch, ahead of the agency's commitment to flight no later than May 2027.
Turning four into two: How duplicated genomes become diploid again
Genome duplication probably gave biodiversity a decisive evolutionary boost. A Chinese-German research team led by Axel Meyer from the University of Konstanz has now investigated the early phases of the process known as rediploidization. The results show that the fusion of
The Origins of Uranus’ Distant Rings Hint at a Hidden Moon
Astronomers are circling the answers The post The Origins of Uranus’ Distant Rings Hint at a Hidden Moon appeared first on Nautilus .
AI for molecular simulations may not need built-in physics to deliver strong results
Simulating how atoms and molecules move over time is a central challenge in computational chemistry and materials science. Classical machine learning approaches to molecular dynamics (MD) encode fundamental physical principles directly into their model architectures, most
Tiny satellites face big data limits: How foldable antennas could change CubeSat missions
An origami-inspired reflectarray antenna developed by researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo enables CubeSats to achieve high antenna gain while fitting within the tight size constraints of small satellites. Weighing just 64 grams, it folds compactly inside a 3U CubeSat for
Ancient chicken bones reveal human management in Korea 2,000 years ago
Chickens and eggs are among the most common foods on modern Korean tables. Understanding their history can enrich our understanding of Korean food culture, agriculture, and animal domestication. It has been widely assumed that chickens dispersed from China to Japan through
Ancient amber reveals a true bug equipped with claws, a highly unusual feature
Amber from the Kachin region of Myanmar has preserved a wealth of fossils, offering insights into the diversity of the Cretaceous fauna of a 100-million-year-old forest ecosystem. The site continues to yield previously unknown species. LMU researchers have now discovered the
Water to surge into drought-depleted Lake Powell but at costs elsewhere
Canyons in eastern Utah will churn this spring with huge volumes of water—as much as 50,000 toilets flushing constantly at the same time—in a desperate attempt to maintain electricity generation for thousands of homes across much of the Western U.S.
Wildfire-driven deforestation rates in California among highest in world
California has one of the highest rates of wildfire-driven deforestation in the world, and the trend has accelerated over the past three decades, according to a study from the University of California, Davis. The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Forests and Global
DNA's physical form helps direct gyrase activity and could reshape antibiotic design
New analytical methods developed at Baylor College of Medicine and collaborating institutions have increased our understanding of how bacteria manage DNA. The methods have enabled researchers to uncover how the sequence, physical shape and flexibility of DNA guide the activity
QR codes can influence whether older customers return
Older adults and technology haven't always had the smoothest relationship. From learning to use email to operating smartphones, each new wave has brought fresh challenges and frustrations. Now, mastering QR codes is the latest hurdle. Recent research from the University of
Millions of atoms, shifting bonds—new software brings living chemistry into view
Chemical reactions drive life. They ensure that cells obtain energy, proteins perform their functions, and DNA changes under certain conditions. However, many of these processes occur on extremely small scales—so small and so fast that they are difficult to observe directly
The Ancient Roots of the Crab Walk
It wasn’t a lateral evolutionary move The post The Ancient Roots of the Crab Walk appeared first on Nautilus .
Elusive tularemia proteins reveal possible treatment target in rare tick-borne disease
Tularemia is a rare but highly infectious disease caused by Francisella tularensis, a bacterium that can evade immune defenses. Symptoms of infection can include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and—in some cases—pneumonia. What makes the pathogen especially concerning is how little
Why a county's basic income program provided reprieve from poverty but not financial independence
A basic income program in Yolo County—one of the first such programs nationwide—lifted unhoused families above the California poverty line for two years. Families could, for a while, spend less time worrying about money and more time being a family, according to new research by
Soundwaves settle debate about elusive quantum particle
It was a head-spinning discovery. In 2018, researchers in Japan claimed to find concrete evidence of an elusive particle, a Majorana fermion, in a quantum spin liquid called ruthenium trichloride. Majoranas are highly sought-after by quantum materials scientists because when a
Chalk-stream salmon could become an official sub-species
Chalk-stream salmon should be officially classified as a sub-species, new research suggests. Scientists from the University of Exeter and INRAe (France) carried out detailed genetic testing of salmon from 42 rivers in England, Ireland and France—including fish from chalk
The Nautilus Reading List of Science Biographies
These beautifully composed books usher you into the life and times of influential scientists The post The Nautilus Reading List of Science Biographies appeared first on Nautilus .
Earth Day Started with an Oil Spill
The day of environmental action and protest has grown and evolved over the past 56 years The post Earth Day Started with an Oil Spill appeared first on Nautilus .
Genetic origins of language may predate modern humans splitting from Neanderthals, a new study suggests
A new study links genetic regions that predate the divergence of modern humans and Neanderthals to language
98 per cent of meat and dairy sustainability pledges are greenwashing
The food industry has made big promises to reduce emissions and become more sustainable, but a review concludes that many of the pledges are not backed up by evidence
New York City, New Orleans at greatest risk of extreme damage from floods, new analysis reveals
While New York City leads in terms of the absolute number of people threatened by flood, more than 98 percent of New Orleans’ population is at risk, according to a new study
How many dachshunds would it take to get to the moon?
Feedback, always on the hunt for absurd units of measurement, is delighted by recent attempts to convey the 406,771 kilometres that the Artemis II crew travelled from Earth
Can you slow ageing with your diet? A new book gives it a go
Discovering he is getting old before his time, David Cox tries to lower his biological age by changing his diet in a helpful new book, The Age Code, says Graham Lawton
