The Tortoises That Inspired Modern Robotics
W. Grey Walter’s early automatons sparked an ongoing fascination with artificial animals The post The Tortoises That Inspired Modern Robotics appeared first on Nautilus .
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Ten new insights in climate science
Each year, the world's leading climate scientists evaluate the most critical evidence on how our planet is changing. Their assessments draw heavily on data from Earth-observing satellites—and the latest report delivers a stark warning: the planet's energy balance is drifting
Global study finds smaller fish and shifting food webs despite stable species numbers
Species numbers alone do not fully capture how ecosystems are changing. In a global study, scientists analyzed long-term data from nearly 15,000 marine and freshwater fish communities. They found that fish food webs have changed substantially over recent decades, even in places
AI-based technology can detect gender violence from the voice
A research team at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) has developed technology using advanced machine learning techniques that detects signs of gender violence from paralinguistic characteristics of the voice such as tone, rhythm, and intensity. This innovative method
Upper-atmospheric lithium pollution directly linked to Falcon 9 reentry
A plume of upper-atmospheric lithium pollution observed in February 2025 has been attributed to the reentry of a specific rocket stage. The results, published in Communications Earth & Environment, are the first known direct detection of upper-atmospheric pollution from space
Why do people living at high altitudes have better glucose control? The answer was in plain sight
In a 2023 paper on hypoxia and glucose metabolism, our lab showed how organisms rewire their metabolism to adapt to low oxygen levels—such as those found at high altitudes. One of the most striking observations from that work was a dramatic drop in circulating blood sugar.
A mouth built for efficiency may have helped the earliest bird fly
A flexible tongue, sensitive beak and teethlike cones in the mouth may have helped Archaeopteryx generate enough energy to fly.
Are you constipated? It could be because of these two bacteria
A new study pinpoints two species of bacteria that work together to dry out the lining of the gut and cause constipation
Scientists discover the body’s hidden “off switch” for inflammation
A new human study has uncovered how the body naturally turns off inflammation. Researchers found that fat-derived molecules called epoxy-oxylipins rein in immune cells that can otherwise drive chronic disease. Using a drug to boost these molecules reduced pain faster and
Particles don't always go with the flow (and why that matters)
It is commonly assumed that tiny particles just go with the flow as they make their way through soil, biological tissue, and other complex materials. But a team of Yale researchers led by Professor Amir Pahlavan shows that even gentle chemical gradients, such as a small change
Hiding in plain sight: Discovery of cryptic species could double the number of vertebrates
There may be twice as many vertebrates on the planet as previous estimates claimed, according to a new study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. That's not because of any errors or miscalculation, but because thousands of species
Babies Are Exposed to More Forever Chemicals in Utero Than Previously Thought
New research into umbilical cord blood shows a startling number of PFAS The post Babies Are Exposed to More Forever Chemicals in Utero Than Previously Thought appeared first on Nautilus .
CT scans help detect ancient earthquakes in Hamilton Basin
In a world-first use of medical imaging technology, scientists have revealed the earthquake-generating potential of faults in the Hamilton and Hauraki areas. The study shows that hidden geological faults in Hamilton city and newly studied faults in the Hauraki district are
Largest ever radio sky survey maps the universe in unprecedented detail
An international collaboration using the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) has published an exceptionally detailed radio sky map, revealing 13.7 million cosmic sources and delivering the most complete census yet of actively growing supermassive black holes. It showcases an
Scientists discover gene that could save bananas from deadly Panama disease
A major breakthrough could help save the world’s bananas from a devastating disease. Scientists have discovered the exact genetic region in a wild banana that provides resistance to Fusarium wilt Subtropical Race 4 — a destructive strain that threatens Cavendish bananas
Novel bacteria discovered in Florida's stranded pygmy sperm whales
Pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) are among the ocean's most enigmatic inhabitants—rarely seen and largely unstudied. They live far offshore in small groups, diving in search of squid and fish. Their quiet behavior and elusive nature have made it difficult to study them in
Atom-sized gates could transform DNA sequencing and neuromorphic computing
Scientists have taken a major step toward mimicking nature’s tiniest gateways by creating ultra-small pores that rival the dimensions of biological ion channels—just a few atoms wide. The breakthrough opens new possibilities for single-molecule sensing, neuromorphic computing,
Quantum entanglement pushes optical clocks to new precision
By replacing single atoms with an entangled pair of ions, physicists in Germany have demonstrated unprecedented stability in an optical clock. Publishing their results in Physical Review Letters, a team led by Kai Dietze at the German National Metrology Institute, hope their
Food insecurity impacts employees' productivity, research finds
Food insecurity can increase anxiety and undermine employees at work, but workplace programs to address it can improve job outcomes, according to research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology.
Home HPV tests won’t replace the ob-gyn
Breast exams, birth control and family planning are just some of the reasons not to skip your annual ob-gyn appointment.
Getting hands-on with LEDs and logic to make science tangible in the classroom
How do you make the complex reality of chips and electronics accessible to a broad audience? TU/e researcher Elles Raaijmakers believes an educational game can do just that. In the game I.C. Tycoon (working title), players take on the role of chip designer and manufacturer.
Scientists finally explain why chronic constipation treatments often fail
A newly discovered bacterial duo may be the hidden cause of chronic constipation. The two microbes break down the colon’s protective mucus layer, leaving stool dry and hard — a problem traditional laxatives don’t fix. Parkinson’s patients, who often struggle with constipation
Nanodevice produces continuous electricity from evaporation
A nanodevice developed at EPFL produces an autonomous, stable current from evaporating saltwater by using heat and light to control the movement of ions and electrons. Previously, researchers in the Laboratory of Nanoscience for Energy Technology (LNET) in EPFL's School of
Archived tree cores reveal why boreal forests are getting starved for nitrogen
Despite decades of industrial deposition, nitrogen availability in the boreal forest is steadily declining. In a new study published in Nature, researchers from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences using decades of unique, stored data have found that atmospheric CO₂
Metal oxide electrodes may enable rapid electrochemical detection of microplastics
Microplastic (MP) pollution poses a major concern, especially in aquatic environments, necessitating efficient detection technologies to safeguard marine life as well as human health. However, conventional detection methods like Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy require
Could a recently reported high-energy neutrino event be explained by an exploding primordial black hole?
The KM3NeT collaboration is a large research group involved in the operation of a neutrino telescope network in the deep Mediterranean Sea, with the aim of detecting high-energy neutrino events. These are rare and fleeting high-energy interactions between neutrinos, particles
Call me invasive: New evidence confirms the status of the giant Asian mantis in Europe
In the realm of entomology, few creatures command as much fascination as the mantis. Throughout history, these striking insects have been deeply woven into local myths and legends, sometimes respected as mystical soothsayers that can guide lost travelers home, and other times
Can Zapping Our Brains Make Us Less Selfish?
New research shows transcranial stimulation can boost altruistic behavior The post Can Zapping Our Brains Make Us Less Selfish? appeared first on Nautilus .
Research boosts search for new mineral deposits in Australia
Western Australian hydrothermal and magmatic deposits that formed several hundred kilometers apart more than two and half billion years ago share more commonalities than previously thought.
The nearsightedness explosion may be fueled by dim indoor light, not just screens
Myopia is skyrocketing around the world, often blamed on endless screen time — but new research suggests the real culprit may be something more subtle. Scientists at SUNY College of Optometry propose that it’s not just devices, but the combination of prolonged close-up focus
The environmental impacts of where your apples are grown
New research from Cranfield University has analyzed the environmental impact of fresh apples sold in the U.K., comparing the greenhouse gas emissions and blue water scarcity across domestic production and imports from Europe and the Southern Hemisphere. The study examined nine
Study reveals impact of extreme heat and drought on Australia's jarrah forests
Western Australia's jarrah forests were unevenly impacted by the record-breaking 2023–2024 heat wave and subsequent drought, with some areas experiencing more severe tree die-off than others, according to a new study.
Is our galaxy’s black hole actually made of dark matter?
An exotic type of dark matter could explain some of the characteristics of our galaxy’s central supermassive black hole, but many cosmologists are leery of the idea
Why some tunes stick: Mathematical symmetry helps explain catchy melodies
Why do some melodies feel instantly right, balanced, memorable and satisfying, even if you have never heard them before? New research from the University of Waterloo suggests that more than creativity is at play.
Deadly Indonesia floods force a deforestation reckoning
Permits revoked, lawsuits filed, the threat of state takeovers. Deadly flooding in Indonesia has prompted unprecedented government action against companies accused of environmental destruction that worsened the disaster.
Alzheimer’s blood tests predict the average age at which the disease may strike, study finds
Tests that could reveal when Alzheimer’s disease will emerge, while promising, are not ready for use in otherwise healthy people, scientists say
Sudan's historic acacia forest devastated as war fuels logging
Vast stretches of a once-verdant acacia forest south of Sudan's capital Khartoum have been reduced to little more than fields of stumps as nearly three years of conflict have fueled deforestation.
Microbe with the smallest genome yet pushes the boundaries of life
Symbiotic bacteria living inside insect cells have lost much of their DNA over hundreds of millions of years, much like the ancient microbes that evolved into mitochondria
Brain development may continue into your 30s, new research shows
That viral claim that your frontal lobe “isn’t fully developed until 25” turns out to be more myth than milestone. Early brain scans showed that gray matter changes dramatically through the teen years, and because studies stopped around age 20, scientists estimated development
Ancient DNA solves 5,500 year old burial mystery in Sweden
Ancient DNA from a Stone Age burial site in Sweden shows that families 5,500 years ago were more complex than expected. Many individuals buried together were not immediate family, but second- or third-degree relatives. One grave held a young woman alongside two children who
Ancient drought may have wiped out the real-life hobbits 61,000 years ago
A massive, centuries-long drought may have driven the extinction of the “hobbits” of Flores. Climate records preserved in cave formations show rainfall plummeted just as the small human species disappeared. At the same time, pygmy elephants they depended on declined sharply as
AI breakthrough could replace rare earth magnets in electric vehicles
Scientists at the University of New Hampshire have unleashed artificial intelligence to dramatically speed up the hunt for next-generation magnetic materials. By building a massive, searchable database of 67,573 magnetic compounds — including 25 newly recognized materials that
New sodium ion battery stores twice the energy and desalinates seawater
A surprising breakthrough could help sodium-ion batteries rival lithium—and even turn seawater into drinking water. Scientists discovered that keeping water inside a key battery material, instead of removing it as traditionally done, dramatically boosts performance. The “wet”
New map reveals where lethal scorpions are most likely to strike
Scientists have developed a powerful new way to forecast where some of the world’s most dangerous scorpions are likely to be found. By combining fieldwork in Africa with advanced computer modeling, the team discovered that soil type is the strongest factor shaping where many
Bilingual courses in Europe: Proper use of language is professors' main concern
A scientific review carried out by a team in the English and German Philology Department at the UCO explores the pedagogical dimension of bilingual university programs in Europe. The implementation of bilingual education is part of an educational trend committed to
Colossal's techy new HQ helps Dallas startup be 'in your face' with de-extinction mission
An animatronic dire wolf looks around then tilts its head to greet you in the lobby. An animated megalodon shark circles its prey in a conference room made of floor-to-ceiling screens before striking and "breaking" the glass.
New farm accounting method measures natural capital across 50 Australian farms
La Trobe University researchers have developed a new way to measure and report the environmental performance of farms in a move that could pave the way for future "sustainability ratings" on consumer food and fiber products. Published in Methods in Ecology and Evolution, the
Will natural gas exports wreck the Gulf of California ecosystem?
As the effects of climate change intensify, it has become standard practice for major corporations to pledge their support for environmental sustainability. This is as it should be, because genuine corporate engagement is essential to the success of our collective response—and
What freezing plants in blocks of ice can tell us about the future of Svalbard's plant communities
How will a warming Arctic affect plant growth on Svalbard? Researchers encased plant plots in a thick layer of ice during the winter and used little greenhouses to heat up those plots in the summer. The surprise? The plants that got the harshest treatment did just fine.
Hidden insect diversity in grass shoots threatened by mowing
When it comes to biodiversity, researchers and the public tend to focus on large-scale patterns. This overlooks a hidden but precious diversity: small, inconspicuous wasps, midges, flies, beetles and other insects that live in plants. These tiny creatures are actually very
