Math puzzle: The homesick rover
Solve the math puzzle from our February 2026 issue, where we plan a return passage for a robotic explorer that doesn’t want to explore.
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Biomass-derived furans offer sustainable alternative to petroleum in chemical production
A research project conducted by the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung shows how biomass can be used as a raw material for chemical products instead of petroleum. The scientists have published their findings in the journal Science.
When employees feel slighted, they work less, research reveals
A missed birthday. A forgotten anniversary. A milestone that goes unnoticed. These small slights from a manager may seem like no big deal, but new research from Wharton reveals that even the mildest of mistreatment at work can affect more than just employee morale.
Understanding the unusual chirality-driven anomalous Hall effect via scattering theory
A new framework for understanding the nonmonotonic temperature dependence and sign reversal of the chirality-related anomalous Hall effect in highly conductive metals has been developed by scientists at Science Tokyo. This framework provides a clear picture of the unusual
Chiral nanowires can actively change electron spin direction
The phenomenon where electron spins align in a specific direction after passing through chiral materials is a cornerstone for future spin-based electronics. Yet, the precise process behind this effect has remained a mystery—until now.
Astronomer uses 'China Sky Eye' to reveal binary origin of fast radio bursts
An international team of astronomers, including researchers from the Department of Physics at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), has uncovered the first decisive evidence that at least some fast radio burst (FRB) sources—brief but powerful flashes of radio waves from distant
Will unseasonably hot weather dash Southern California's hopes for a 2026 superbloom?
Wildflower expert Naomi Fraga was excited about the prospect of an extraordinary bloom this spring, after a winter of near record rainfall, but this week's unseasonably hot, dry weather has dimmed her hopes for a superbloom year.
Vitamin A may be helping cancer hide from the immune system
A vitamin A byproduct has been found to quietly disarm the immune system, allowing tumors to evade attack and weakening cancer vaccines. Scientists have now developed a drug that shuts down this pathway, dramatically boosting immune responses and slowing cancer growth in
What Is Beige Fat, and Is It Healthy?
This mysterious type of fat cell may play an important role in heart health, new research shows
In Venezuela, Big Oil Collides with a Hotter Planet
A break down of why Venezuela’s oil boom is clashing with a hotter, more fragile planet
X-ray four-wave mixing captures elusive electron interactions inside atoms and molecules
Scientists at the X-ray free-electron laser SwissFEL have realized a long-pursued experimental goal in physics: to show how electrons dance together. The technique, known as X-ray four-wave mixing, opens a new way to see how energy and information flow within atoms and
NASA brings Crew-11 home early in rare medical evacuation
SpaceX Crew-11 splashed down safely in the Pacific after more than five months in orbit aboard the International Space Station. The four astronauts completed over 140 experiments and traveled nearly 71 million miles around Earth. NASA brought the crew home earlier than planned
A deadly chemical frozen in ice may have sparked life on Earth
Hydrogen cyanide, a toxic chemical, may have helped spark the chemistry that led to life. When frozen, it forms crystals with highly reactive surfaces that can drive unusual chemical reactions, even in extreme cold. These reactions could produce more reactive molecules that
Those strange red dots in James Webb images finally have an explanation
For years, strange red dots in James Webb images left scientists puzzled. New research shows they are young black holes hidden inside dense clouds of gas, glowing as they devour their surroundings. These black holes are smaller than expected but grow rapidly, shedding light on
Cheating just three times massively ups the chance of winning at chess
Using a chess computer to advise you on just three moves during a game dramatically increases your chances of winning in a way that is difficult for others to spot
Fewer offspring, longer life: The hidden rule of mammal aging
A large international study reveals that mammals tend to live longer when reproduction is suppressed. On average, lifespan increases by about 10 percent, though the reasons differ for males and females. Castrated males avoid the harmful effects of testosterone, while females
Scientists “resurrect” ancient cannabis enzymes with medical promise
Scientists have uncovered how cannabis evolved the ability to make its most famous compounds—THC, CBD, and CBC—by recreating ancient enzymes that existed millions of years ago. These early enzymes were multitaskers, capable of producing several cannabinoids at once, before
One protein may decide whether brain chemistry heals or harms
Tryptophan does far more than help us sleep—it fuels brain chemistry, energy production, and mood-regulating neurotransmitters. But as the brain ages or develops neurological disease, this delicate system goes awry, pushing tryptophan toward harmful byproducts linked to memory
Scientists found the soil secret that doubles forest regrowth
New research shows tropical forests can recover twice as fast after deforestation when their soils contain enough nitrogen. Scientists followed forest regrowth across Central America for decades and found that nitrogen plays a decisive role in how quickly trees return. Faster
From freezer to fork: New thawing method could deliver 'dock-fresh' fish anywhere
A small revolution is happening in the fishing industry. Freshly frozen fish can now be thawed in a new way, and that means you will have access to super-fresh food from the sea—even if you live thousands of miles away.
Stretchable OLED displays take a big leap forward
A new OLED design can stretch dramatically while staying bright, solving a problem that has long limited flexible displays. The breakthrough comes from pairing a highly efficient light-emitting material with tough, transparent MXene-based electrodes. Tests showed the display
Insights into the logistics of cellular waste disposal
Protein aggregates, damaged organelles, and invading bacteria are identified and removed in healthy cells. An international research team led by Professor Konstanze F. Winklhofer from the Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, has
Exposing how humidity can escalate a heat wave
When Floridians talk about extreme weather, hurricanes dominate the conversation. Each season brings updates on storm tracks, cone predictions and wind speeds, all in the hopes of predicting the unpredictable. But a quieter, more deceptive threat is already reshaping the way
Mentoring programs help close education gap for disadvantaged children in Germany
Even when they perform equally well in elementary school, children from less privileged families in Germany are less likely to enter the high track in secondary school. A study by the ECONtribute Cluster of Excellence at the Universities of Bonn and Cologne shows that mentoring
Seagrass meadows could be good for your health—yet they're disappearing fast
The well-being benefits of nature are often linked to forests or habitats that support diverse pollinators. Spending time in green spaces reduces stress and anxiety, for example.
What to know about venomous snakes in North Texas after recent diamondback discovery
Texas is home to more than 100 snake species, including the western diamondback rattlesnake, which was recently documented for the first time in Denton County after being found in a suburban garage.
Lack of coordination is leaving modern slavery victims and survivors vulnerable, say experts
Researchers at The University of Manchester are calling for stronger, coordinated partnerships to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking, warning that gaps between organizations risk leaving victims and survivors without consistent protection and support.
As Biodiversity Dwindles, Mosquitos Turn to Human Blood
We may not be tastier, but just more abundant these days The post As Biodiversity Dwindles, Mosquitos Turn to Human Blood appeared first on Nautilus .
Alor's healing plants: A treasure trove of medical knowledge and oral tradition
"When a child has a fever, crush a 'candlenut' (fiyaai [Aleurites moluccanus]). Add water to the mixture, and apply it to the child's body. The fever will go down."
Coyote, bobcat sightings are on the rise in parts of Dallas-Fort Worth; here's how to stay safe
Amid a recent spate of reported sightings of bobcats and coyotes in Frisco, local experts are encouraging North Texas residents to be aware and to take precautions to avoid negative encounters between pets, people and wildlife.
A rare desert plant shows benefits of sustainability efforts at a large solar array in the Mojave Desert
Although sunlight is one of the cleanest forms of renewable energy available, clearing large swathes of desert habitat to build solar arrays has consequences for the plants and animals it displaces. Researchers are trying to find better ways to preserve desert landscapes
Earth keeps getting hotter, and Americans' partisan divide over science grows sharper
As global officials confirm that 2025 was Earth's third-hottest year on record, a new poll shows Americans are sharply divided over the role of science in the United States.
Quantum tools set to transform life science, researchers say
A team at Japan's National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST) has published a field-defining Perspective that places the societal payoff of quantum technologies front and center: earlier disease detection, faster drug development, and new routes to clean
Learning about public consensus on climate change does little to boost people's support for action, study shows
Providing accurate information about the climate crisis can help to correct misperceptions about how much public support exists for action.
Perovskite display technology demonstrates record efficiency and industry-level operational lifetime
A research team has developed a hierarchical-shell perovskite nanocrystal technology that simultaneously overcomes the long-standing instability of metal-halide perovskite emitters while achieving record-breaking quantum yield, operational stability, and scalability. This work
New spectroscopic method reveals ion's complex nuclear structure
Different atoms and ions possess characteristic energy levels. Like a fingerprint, they are unique for each species. Among them, the atomic ion 173Yb+ has attracted growing interest because of its particularly rich energy structure, which is promising for applications in
Greening school playgrounds can improve quality of life in cities and help deal with climate change
Adapting urban spaces to tackle climate change through nature-based solutions, especially in school playgrounds and environments, benefits both children and society as a whole. This is one of the main findings of a three-year study conducted by a group of experts at European
Rethinking climate impacts through human well-being
A new study by IIASA researchers offers a pioneering way to understand how climate change affects people's lives over the long term. Using a global model and the Years of Good Life (YoGL) metric, the research shows that today's emissions shape future well-being, especially for
Comprehensive map reveals how E3 ligases organize protein cleanup in human cells
Maintaining cellular order is a major logistical challenge: Individual mammalian cells contain billions of protein molecules, which must be synthesized, deployed, and removed with precision. In the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), proteins destined for degradation are tagged
New microscopy technique preserves the cell's natural conditions
Researchers at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT-Italian Institute of Technology) have developed an innovative microscopy technique capable of improving the observation of living cells. The study, published in Optics Letters, paves the way for a more in-depth analysis of
The hidden risk of combined stressors for soils
Global change—a term that encompasses climate change and phenomena such as changes in land use or environmental pollution—is increasingly putting ecosystems around the world under pressure. Urban soils in particular are susceptible to stressors like heat, drought, road salt,
Chemist proposes shared 'model proteins' to improve reproducibility in protein science
Protein scientists could improve reproducibility and coordination across the field by rallying around a small, shared set of "model proteins," according to a new Perspective by Connecticut College chemist Marc Zimmer.
Watch This Glacier Race into the Sea
High-tech radar technology offers an unprecedented look at escaping ice speeds on Greenland and Antarctica The post Watch This Glacier Race into the Sea appeared first on Nautilus .
Canada is losing track of salmon health as climate and industrial threats mount
Canada is failing in a decades-old pledge to monitor the health of Pacific salmon, according to new research from Simon Fraser University.
Exploring metabolic noise opens new paths to better biomanufacturing
Much like humans, microbial organisms can be fickle in their productivity. One moment they're cranking out useful chemicals in vast fermentation tanks, metabolizing feed to make products from pharmaceuticals and supplements to biodegradable plastics or fuels, and the next, they
Hidden magma oceans could shield rocky exoplanets from harmful radiation
Deep beneath the surface of distant exoplanets known as super-Earths, oceans of molten rock may be doing something extraordinary: powering magnetic fields strong enough to shield entire planets from dangerous cosmic radiation and other harmful high-energy particles.
Wormholes may not exist—we've found they reveal something deeper about time and the universe
Wormholes are often imagined as tunnels through space or time—shortcuts across the universe. But this image rests on a misunderstanding of work by physicists Albert Einstein and Nathan Rosen.
Historic ocean treaty to safeguard and sustainably use the high seas to take effect on Jan. 17
Oregon State University research into marine protected areas plays a crucial role in the historic High Seas Treaty that goes into effect Jan. 17.
Do-it-yourself ammonia production: Renewable-powered system uses calcium to reduce emissions and scale for farmers
The last time you scrubbed a streaky window or polished a porcelain appliance, you probably used a chemical called ammonia.
Crowd sensing for the environment: Citizen science and plant apps map how urbanization alters city soils and climate
Plants reflect urban climate and soil conditions with remarkable precision. Using more than 80 million observations from plant identification apps, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry have produced a detailed picture of fine-scale climate and soil
