The Secret Busy Lives of Small Icy Moons
A surprising churn of activity conducive to life may lie beneath their frigid surfaces The post The Secret Busy Lives of Small Icy Moons appeared first on Nautilus .
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Mineral fertilizer, not soil, found to supply most toxic cadmium in wheat grains
Plants absorb not only nutrients but also toxic metals such as cadmium through their roots. It was previously unclear whether the toxic metals came from the soil or the fertilizers applied. Under the leadership of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and Duke
Policy brief offers recommendations to improve environmental risk assessment for pollinators in EU
Horizon Europe project PollinERA, which aims to reverse pollinator population declines and reduce the harmful impacts of pesticides, has released its first policy brief. This marks an important stepping stone for the project, bringing PollinERA's scientific insights directly
Do super-Jupiters look like Jupiter? Not necessarily, study shows
Using images from the James Webb Space Telescope (Webb), an international research team including Western's Stanimir Metchev has discovered new answers to explain how some brown dwarfs form giant dust storms, contradicting previous assumptions. These storms may look similar to
Why are more researchers now screened out of citations leaders' list? A highly cited scientist's view
The Web of Science and Clarivate named Alliance researcher Christophe Béné one of the world's top-cited researchers for the fourth consecutive year in the field of multi-disciplinary sciences.
Non-timber products have the potential to finance reforestation projects
The cost of forest restoration is a considerable obstacle, sparking discussions in recent years about how to make it economically viable. Since native wood management, carbon credits, and payment for ecosystem services are long-term solutions—the latter two with a nascent
Probiotics and prebiotics offer safer alternatives to antibiotics in animal agriculture
A new study by researchers at Shinshu University highlights the essential role of gut microbiota in livestock health and productivity. The researchers show how probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics can safely enhance growth and immunity, and balance the growth of intestinal
How supplemental feeding boosts reproductive conditions of urban squirrels
Urbanization is rapidly growing worldwide, often bringing negative effects on wildlife through loss of habitat and disturbances such as light pollution and noise. Yet some species manage to adapt to cities, either due to their inherent traits, like boldness or being omnivorous,
Are university policies holding science back? Study shows how patenting boosts pure research
When UC Berkeley biochemist Jennifer Doudna first began studying how bacteria fight virus infections, she had no idea it would result in one of the most important scientific breakthroughs of the century. Her curiosity-driven research on an obscure bacterial immune system called
Why your faucet drips: Water jet breakup traced to angstrom-scale thermal capillary waves
Some phenomena in our daily lives are so commonplace that we don't realize there could be some very interesting physics behind them. Take a dripping faucet: why does the continuous stream of water from a faucet eventually break up into individual droplets? A team of physicists
Breaking the heart's barrier to solve drug-resistant TB
African scientists have developed a nanoscale drug delivery system to treat pericarditis, a drug-resistant and lethal tuberculosis (TB). The scientists' system can breach the heart's protective membrane, a barrier that standard antibiotics cannot penetrate to be therapeutic.
Evidence of rain-driven climate on Mars found in bleached rocks scattered in Jezero crater
Rocks that stood out as light-colored dots on the reddish-orange surface of Mars now are the latest evidence that areas of the small planet may have once supported wet oases with humid climates and heavy rainfall comparable to tropical climates on Earth.
These Monkeys Hint at an Evolutionary Musical Mystery
Macaques are surprisingly deft at keeping the beat to the Backstreet Boys The post These Monkeys Hint at an Evolutionary Musical Mystery appeared first on Nautilus .
European rocket puts S.Korean satellite in orbit
The European Vega C rocket blasted off into space on Monday, successfully putting a South Korean Kompsat-7 satellite into Earth's orbit.
Extensive hydrothermal vent field discovered off Milos reveals tectonic influence
A new study published in Scientific Reports reports the discovery of a remarkably extensive hydrothermal vent field on the shelf of Milos Island, Greece. The vents were identified during the METEOR expedition M192, where the research team used a combination of different
The mystery of the missing deep ocean carbon fixers
In a step toward better understanding how the ocean sequesters carbon, new findings from UC Santa Barbara researchers and collaborators challenge the current view of how carbon dioxide is "fixed" in the sunless ocean depths. UCSB microbial oceanographer Alyson Santoro and
UK space weather probe captures biggest solar radiation spike in almost 20 years
New balloon-mounted space radiation probes developed by the Surrey Space Center at the University of Surrey have captured their first measurements of a major solar storm, confirming the research team's model, which indicates the flare caused the highest levels of radiation at
Survey: Hurricane season ends, but weather woes push Floridians to move
Although the Atlantic hurricane season has officially ended, Floridians' woes over severe weather and soaring homeowners' insurance costs still linger. A new Florida Atlantic University survey finds hurricanes and other climate-related threats are causing many Floridians to
On-demand electronic switching of topology achieved in a single crystal
University of British Columbia (UBC) scientists have demonstrated a reversible way to switch the topological state of a quantum material using mechanisms compatible with modern electronic devices. Published in Nature Materials, the study offers a new route toward more energy
Natural language found more complex than it strictly needs to be—and for good reason
Human languages are complex phenomena. Around 7,000 languages are spoken worldwide, some with only a handful of remaining speakers, while others, such as Chinese, English, Spanish and Hindi, are spoken by billions. Despite their profound differences, they all share a common
Flood size and frequency found to shape river migration worldwide
A new Tulane University study published in Science Advances sheds light on how floods influence the way rivers move, offering fresh insight into how changing flood patterns may reshape waterways and the communities that depend on them.
New magnetic sensor material discovered using high-throughput experimental method
A NIMS research team has developed a new experimental method capable of rapidly evaluating numerous material compositions by measuring anomalous Hall resistivity 30 times faster than conventional methods. By analyzing the vast amount of data obtained using machine learning and
What would Russia's inability to launch crewed missions mean for ISS?
Russia's only launch site capable of sending humans to orbit has suffered serious damage that may take two years to fix. Will NASA keep supporting the ISS without Russian involvement, or is this the end for the space station?
Coral reefs have fuelled severe global warming in Earth's past
Over the past 250 million years, periods when coral reef growth has peaked have coincided with big rises in sea temperatures
Coral reefs have stabilized Earth's carbon cycle for the past 250 million years, research reveals
Coral reefs have long been celebrated as biodiversity hotspots—but new research shows they have also played a much deeper role: conducting the rhythm of Earth's carbon and climate cycles for more than 250 million years.
We now have a greater understanding of how exercise slows cancer
Tumour growth is reduced by exercise due to a shift in the body’s metabolism that means muscle cells outcompete cancer cells in the race to get sugar to grow
A new possibility for life: Study suggests ancient skies rained down ingredients
Earth's atmosphere might have contributed to the origin of life more than previously thought. In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, CU Boulder researchers and collaborators reveal that billions of years ago, Earth's early sky might have
Scientists map Mars' large river drainage systems for first time
Billions of years ago, it rained on Mars. The water collected in valleys and rivers, filled and spilled over the rims of craters, and was funneled into canyons, perhaps even making its way to a large Martian ocean.
Sexual selection in beetles leads to more rapid evolution of new species, long-term experiments show
When males are forced to compete for females, new species form more rapidly. This has been shown in a new study where the researchers compared beetles allowed to mate freely with groups of the same species where competition for mating was restricted. The experiments, which have
Gold nanoclusters provide new modifiable materials for nanoelectronics
New metal-organic framework (MOF) materials based on gold nanoclusters have the potential to transform nanoelectronics. Four innovative materials with electrical conductivity and semiconductor-like behavior were developed through international research cooperation, opening new
Bird-of-paradise inspires darkest fabric ever made
The color "ultrablack"—defined as reflecting less than 0.5% of the light that hits it—has a variety of uses, including in cameras, solar panels and telescopes, but it's difficult to produce and can appear less black when viewed at an angle. Now, a Cornell lab has devised a
Investigation shows large support for core ideas of degrowth—but not the label
The first major study into public attitudes toward degrowth—the notion that high-income economies should prioritize well-being over growing production—reveals significant public support for its key ideas across both the UK (74–84%) and US (67–73%).
Massive pit circle confirmed as Neolithic structure near Durrington Walls henge
New research from the University of St Andrews, as part of a team led by the University of Bradford, has confirmed the details of a massive, neolithic pit structure recently discovered during a geophysical survey around the Durrington Walls Henge, Wiltshire.
The functional principles of eye evolution: Light-sensitive stem cells provide new insight
A new study, led by the University of Vienna and the Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven, shows how the eyes of adult marine bristleworms continue to grow throughout life—driven by a ring of neural stem cells reminiscent of vertebrate eyes. What's more, these stem cells
Scientists can finally answer an old question about cellular aging
After a finite number of divisions, cells simply give up. As each round of replication trims their telomeres—the protective caps at the chromosome ends—those caps eventually become too short to prevent chromosome ends from being recognized as DNA breaks. As a result, cells
ByteDance Launches Doubao Real-Time AI Voice Assistant for Phones
The company behind TikTok is rolling out a smartphone AI assistant that behaves less like an app and more like a secretary
Ancient dirty dishes reveal decades of questionable findings
Olive oil is the Swiss army knife of foodstuffs. It can dress salads, sauté vegetables, even grease squeaky hinges. And for archaeologists, its ubiquitous presence in excavated pottery offers a window into the economic, political and social organization of the ancient world.
Elephants’ Drone Tolerance Could Aid Conservation Efforts
The massive mammals habituate to the presence of aerial monitoring thanks to their impressive memories The post Elephants’ Drone Tolerance Could Aid Conservation Efforts appeared first on Nautilus .
Wetlands trap toxic metals after battery plant fire scatters debris
When fire broke out at the world's largest battery energy storage facility in January 2025, its thick smoke blanketed surrounding wetlands, farms and nearby communities on the central California coast.
Nigeria's low-cost private schools are the only option for millions: Is closing them a good idea?
Nigeria's basic education landscape consists of public (government) schools and a diverse private sector. Private schools in Nigeria refer to educational institutions that are run by private individuals, religious organizations, foundations or business enterprises. These
Why meetings can harm employee well-being
Anyone working in an organization knows it: meetings follow one after another at a frantic pace. On average, managers spend 23 hours a week in meetings. Much of what happens in them is considered to be of low value, or even entirely counterproductive. The paradox is that bad
What time is it on Mars? Physicists have the answer.
Ask someone on Earth for the time and they can give you an exact answer, thanks to our planet's intricate timekeeping system, built with atomic clocks, GPS satellites and high-speed telecommunications networks.
Rural high school students are more likely than city kids to get their diplomas, less likely to go to college
Many high school seniors are currently in the midst of the college application process or are already waiting to hear back from their selected schools.
'Quiet divorcing' puts a new name to an old problem: The slow erosion of intimacy
Some relationships end loudly, most end quietly. There is no dramatic fight or sudden revelation. Instead, partners gradually stop showing up for each other in small, everyday ways.
Close brush with two hot stars millions of years ago left a mark just beyond our solar system
Nearly 4.5 million years ago, two large, hot stars brushed tantalizingly close to Earth's sun. They left behind a trace in the clouds of gas and dust that swirl just beyond our solar system—almost like the scent of perfume after someone has left the room.
New York's wealthy warn of a tax exodus after Mamdani's win, but data says otherwise
New York's mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, campaigned on a promise to raise the city's income tax on its richest residents from 3.9% to 5.9%. Combined with the state income tax, which is 10.9% for the top bracket, the increase would cement the city's position as having the highest
Physicists create 'quantum wire' where mass and energy flow without friction or loss
In physical systems, transport takes many forms, such as electric current through a wire, heat through metal, or even water through a pipe. Each of these flows can be described by how easily the underlying quantity—charge, energy, or mass—moves through a material.
Did JWST find an exomoon or a starspot?
Searching for exomoons—moons that orbit around another planet—was one of the most exciting capabilities expected of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) when it launched in late 2021. So, after four years of operation, why hasn't it found one yet? Turns out it's really, really
New code helps scientists map dark matter halos
Dark matter and its impact on cosmology have puzzled physicists for nearly a century. At Perimeter Institute, two researchers are trying to better understand how one potential dark matter candidate, self-interacting dark matter (SIDM), could impact how cosmic structures evolve.
Controlling quantum states in germanene using only an electric field
Researchers at the University of Twente and Utrecht University demonstrated for the first time that quantum states in the ultra-narrow material germanene can be switched on and off using only an electric field. The researchers were able to vary the electric field strength very
