In a study, people with gene variants in two genes lost slightly more weight on GLP-1 drugs, but threw up more on Zepbound.
The painstaking process of formalization to verify proofs is starting to surge thanks to AI. That could radically change the way people do math.
The findings show how the H5N1 bird flu virus is evolving in livestock and what that may mean for human health.
Millions of objects stashed at a site open only to select visitors tell the history of Earth's inhabitants.
Using AI later in solving tough problems boosts critical thinking and memory, a study shows, highlighting trade-offs between speed and reasoning.
Claims that fluoride in drinking water causes cognitive delays in kids are driving U.S. policy. A new study finds no evidence to back them.
Advances in decoding animal sounds might someday make animal translators a possibility.
Climate change could be forcing gray whales to seek food in San Francisco Bay, where vessel strikes may be driving rising deaths.
After looping around the moon, the Artemis II crew — and their capsule’s heat shield — passed the mission’s final major test: coming home.
Shock waves from tiny black holes in the early universe could explain how antimatter became so rare while matter is common.
Solve the crossword from our May 2026 issue, in which we expand the way we see the universe.
By recording brain activity directly, scientists showed that imagining an object can revive parts of the neural pattern used to see it.
Conservationists now list the penguins and seals as “Endangered.” Climate change in Antarctica has led to plunging populations.
The Artemis II moon flyby may be over, but the hunt for scientific treasures in the trove of data collected is just starting.
The ocean plastic that washes up on Hawaii’s beaches is recycled into asphalt to pave roads. The roads are then tested for microplastic pollution.
A cave preserved two animals’ rib cages, cartilage and even traces of protein, revealing a flexible breathing apparatus like that of today’s land dwellers.
In 2000, researchers thought they found the oldest fossil octopus, which lived over 300 million years ago. But it may just be a half-rotten nautilus.
As NASA’s Orion spacecraft slipped behind the farside of the moon, the astronauts captured the crescent of Earth setting over the moon’s horizon.
In The Creatures’ Guide to Caring, science journalist Elizabeth Preston looks to the animal kingdom to explore what it means to be a good parent.
Experts in echolocation use multiple clicks and echoes to sense objects, offering insight into how the brain builds perception.
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An international research team from Germany, the UK, and Greece has found evidence that wooden tools were used in Greece 430,000 years ago. An international collaboration involving researchers from the Universities of Tübingen and Reading and the Senckenberg Nature Research Society has identified what are now considered the earliest known hand-held wooden tools used by
By manipulating ultrafast quantum particles under extreme conditions, researchers have begun to probe growth dynamics in unprecedented detail. Why do patterns emerge as surfaces grow, whether in crystals, flames, or living systems? Physicists have long turned to the Kardar–Parisi–Zhang (KPZ) equation, proposed in 1986, as a unifying description of these processes. This theory captures how
As human development increasingly encroaches on the Amazon, researchers find that the growing boundary between forests and urban areas is accelerating the spillover of yellow fever into human populations. Human activity is pushing deeper into previously undisturbed ecosystems, disrupting natural balances and creating new risks for people. A study from UC Santa Barbara finds that
A common genetic mutation linked to alcohol intolerance may also play a far more dangerous role in heart disease than previously understood. Around 40% of people of East Asian descent experience alcohol intolerance, often called “Asian Flush Syndrome.” This condition is caused by a variant of the ALDH2 gene. Beyond its effects on alcohol metabolism,
Scientists are turning to AI and speech analysis to uncover early signs of Alzheimer’s in ways traditional methods may miss. More than 7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is expected to climb as the population ages. Detecting the condition earlier could make a meaningful difference in
A new study suggests that failing to detect dark matter signals in some galaxies may not contradict evidence seen in our own. The absence of a signal may itself carry meaning. That is the central idea of a new study published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics (JCAP), which proposes a different way
A subtle shift in the periodic table reveals a complex and largely unexplored layer of biology. On the far right side of the periodic table, just beneath oxygen, sits a lesser-known group of elements called the chalcogens, or “ore-forming” elements. While sulfur is widely recognized for its role in biology, its heavier relatives, selenium and
A new geological study reshapes the timeline of a major tectonic collision that helped form the Andes, suggesting key events occurred earlier than long assumed. A study in Earth and Planetary Physics is reshaping scientists’ understanding of how the Americas came together. By examining subtle magnetic signals locked inside ancient volcanic rocks in Colombia’s Northern
Microplastics circulate globally through the atmosphere, but their sources may not be what scientists once thought. The air around us is quietly carrying an unexpected form of pollution. Tiny plastic fragments, known as microplastics, are now circulating through the atmosphere and reaching places once thought untouched by human activity. From mountain peaks to remote oceans,
A new geodynamic model is reshaping how scientists understand supervolcanoes, revealing that their magma systems may be far more diffuse and dynamic than previously believed. Supereruptions are among the most extreme events our planet can produce. Each one can eject more than 1,000 cubic kilometers (about 240 cubic miles) of material, enough to blanket entire
Gallium has revealed unexpected behavior that challenges decades-old assumptions about its liquid structure. A metal that can melt in your hand has just surprised scientists again. Gallium, first identified in 1875, already stands out for its strange behavior. It melts at about 30°C (86°F), meaning it can liquefy in a warm room or even in
New research reveals that when fat tissue fails, the consequences ripple across the body. Many people think negatively about body fat, but scientists now understand that adipose tissue is essential to health. It functions as an active organ that plays a central role in metabolism and supports many critical processes in the body. Excess fat,
A controlled trial examines how different protein choices influence metabolic health, offering new insight into diet and disease risk. More than 135 million adults in the United States are living with or at risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D), highlighting the growing need for clear, science-based dietary guidance to support better health and lower the
New research suggests that tubulin may help prevent the toxic protein clumps associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine say they may have found a new way to push back against two of the most devastating brain diseases: Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Both illnesses are tied to proteins that go off
New research suggests that subtle changes in the way whey protein is processed could reshape the sensory experience of protein drinks. New research suggests that the often chalky texture and lingering aftertaste of protein shakes may not be inevitable. Instead, they could be improved by rethinking how whey protein is processed at a molecular level.
A powerful new microscopy technique unveils hidden nanoscale light interactions, offering a glimpse into physics that conventional tools cannot resolve. Over the past ten years, advances in nanofabrication have made it possible to shape materials at scales as small as 10 nanometers and even down to individual atoms. These capabilities have pushed nanophotonics into a
A new chip-scale spectrometer challenges the long-standing reliance on bulky optical systems by replacing physical light separation with computational reconstruction. For decades, analyzing the chemical makeup of materials, whether for medical diagnosis, food inspection, or pollution monitoring, has relied on large and costly laboratory instruments known as spectrometers. These systems work by splitting light into
Researchers have shown that surprisingly large metal particles can behave according to quantum mechanics, existing in multiple states at once. Can a tiny piece of metal exist in a quantum state spread across multiple locations at once? Researchers at the University of Vienna say yes. Writing in Nature, scientists from the University of Vienna and
A small fossil snake may hold outsized clues about snake evolution, behavior, and an ancient ecosystem that looked nothing like today’s. A newly identified fossil snake from Wyoming is rewriting scientists’ understanding of snake evolution. The species, named Hibernophis breithaupti, lived about 34 million years ago and may represent an early branch of Booidea, the
A chance discovery inside a long-overlooked fossil has revealed an unexpected chapter in pterosaur evolution. Around 110 million years ago, two small pterosaurs about the size of modern seagulls were flying over a lake or river, likely searching for food or skimming the water. They were suddenly captured and eaten by a larger predator, either
A strange crocodile relative that may have shifted from four legs to two is shedding light on convergent evolution and the hidden diversity of Triassic ecosystems. A “peculiar” reptile from the age of dinosaurs is challenging assumptions about how ancient crocodile relatives moved. Scientists say this small Triassic animal may have begun life on four
Once a baffling theory, quantum mechanics has evolved into a driving force behind modern technology and frontier research. A century ago, quantum mechanics was a bold and puzzling idea that challenged even leading scientists. Today, it underpins many everyday technologies, including lasers, microchips, quantum computers, and secure communication systems. In a new perspective published in
Jupiter and Saturn may seem similar as gas giants, yet their vastly different moon systems reveal a deeper story shaped by magnetic forces and planetary evolution. Jupiter and Saturn, the two largest planets in our Solar System, also host the most extensive systems of moons. Jupiter is currently known to have more than 100 moons,
Clues to the genetic code’s origin may be hidden in tiny protein fragments, revealing a synchronized and highly structured path to life’s earliest molecular systems. Genes act as the instruction manual for life, encoding the information that allows cells to build, repair, and reproduce. But scientists still struggle to explain how this system first emerged.
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Feeling mentally “on” isn’t just in your head—it can significantly boost what you accomplish. Researchers found that sharper thinking on a given day leads people to set bigger goals and actually follow through. That edge can equal up to 40 extra minutes of productivity. But push too hard for too long, and the effect reverses.
A massive, bus-sized “terror croc” that once preyed on dinosaurs has been brought back to life in stunning detail with the first scientifically accurate full skeleton of Deinosuchus schwimmeri. Stretching over 30 feet long, this ancient apex predator ruled the southeastern U.S. more than 75 million years ago—and now visitors can see it up close at the Tellus Science Museum, the only place in the world with this replica.
A badly mangled dinosaur skull, once forgotten in a drawer, turned out to be a rare and important discovery. Reconstructed by a Virginia Tech student, it revealed a new species of early carnivorous dinosaur with unusual features never seen before. The fossil suggests some dinosaur groups were wiped out during the end-Triassic extinction, not just their rivals. It may represent one of the last survivors of an ancient dinosaur lineage.
A new study proposes detecting life in space by spotting patterns across many planets instead of focusing on one at a time. If life spreads and changes planetary environments, it could leave behind statistical clues linking planets together. These patterns may reveal life even when traditional biosignatures are unclear or misleading. The method could help scientists prioritize which planets are most likely to host life.
In a major breakthrough, scientists have observed electrons in graphene flowing like a nearly frictionless liquid, defying a core law of physics. This exotic quantum state not only reveals new fundamental behavior but could also unlock powerful future technologies.
A rare fossil discovery is shedding light on the “missing years” of early sponge evolution. Scientists found a 550-million-year-old sponge that likely lacked hard skeletal parts, explaining why earlier fossils are so scarce. This supports the idea that the earliest sponges were soft-bodied and rarely preserved. The finding changes how researchers hunt for the origins of animal life.
A breakthrough experiment has shed new light on one of astrophysics’ biggest mysteries: the origin of rare proton-rich elements. For the first time, scientists directly measured a key reaction that creates selenium-74 using a rare isotope beam. The results sharpen models of how these elements form in supernova explosions, cutting uncertainty in half. But the findings also reveal gaps in current theories, hinting that the story isn’t complete yet.
Scientists have taken a major step toward stopping Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), an extremely common infection linked to cancer and chronic disease. By using mice engineered with human antibody genes, researchers created powerful human-like antibodies that block the virus from attaching to and entering immune cells. One of these antibodies completely prevented infection in lab models with human immune systems, marking a breakthrough after years of difficulty tackling EBV’s ability to…
A new study from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is overturning a decades-old belief that Indigenous Hawaiians hunted native waterbirds to extinction. Instead, researchers found no scientific evidence supporting this claim and propose a more complex explanation involving climate change, invasive species, and shifts in land use—many occurring before Polynesian arrival or after traditional stewardship systems were disrupted.
In the aftermath of Earth’s most catastrophic extinction event, one unlikely survivor rose to dominate a shattered world: Lystrosaurus. Now, a stunning fossil discovery—an ancient egg containing a curled-up embryo—has finally answered a decades-old mystery about whether mammal ancestors laid eggs. Using advanced imaging technology, scientists confirmed that these resilient creatures did reproduce this way, likely producing large, soft-shelled eggs packed with nutrients.
In the Arizona desert, scientists have uncovered a bizarre and almost unbelievable partnership between ants: tiny cone ants acting as “cleaners” for much larger harvester ants. Instead of attacking, the smaller ants crawl over the giants, licking and nibbling their bodies—even venturing between their open jaws—while the larger ants calmly allow it. The scene resembles underwater “cleaning stations,” where small fish groom predators like sharks.
Bread and other carbohydrate staples may be doing more than just filling plates—they could be quietly reshaping metabolism. In a surprising twist, researchers found that mice strongly preferred carbs like bread, rice, and wheat, abandoning their regular diet entirely. Even without eating more calories, they gained weight and body fat, not because they overate, but because their bodies burned less energy.
For years, water managers have been puzzled as the Colorado River kept delivering less water than expected—even when snowpack levels looked promising. New research reveals the missing piece: spring rain, or rather, the lack of it. Warmer, drier springs mean plants are soaking up more snowmelt before it can reach rivers, fueled by sunny skies that boost growth and evaporation. In fact, this shift explains nearly 70% of the shortfall,…
Quantum systems can secretly “remember” their past—even when they appear not to. Scientists found that whether a system shows memory depends on how you look at it: through its evolving state or its measurable properties. Each perspective uncovers different kinds of memory, meaning a system can seem memoryless and memory-filled at the same time. This discovery could change how researchers design and control quantum technologies.
Scientists have developed a new way to fight gum disease without wiping out the mouth’s helpful bacteria—a major shift from traditional treatments. Instead of killing everything, this targeted approach blocks only the harmful microbes that drive periodontitis, allowing beneficial bacteria to thrive and restore balance naturally.
Mitochondria don’t just generate energy—they also carefully organize their own DNA in a surprisingly elegant way. Scientists have discovered that a long-overlooked phenomenon called “mitochondrial pearling,” where mitochondria briefly form bead-like shapes, helps evenly space clusters of mitochondrial DNA.
Spending time with close companions might do more than strengthen bonds—it could also reshape your gut bacteria. In a study of island birds, those with stronger social ties shared more gut microbes, especially types that require direct contact to spread. This suggests that social interaction itself—not just shared space—drives microbial exchange. The same process may be happening in human households through everyday closeness.
Gray whales are beginning to break their long-established migration patterns, venturing into risky new territory like San Francisco Bay as climate change disrupts their Arctic food supply. But this unexpected detour is proving deadly: nearly one in five whales that enter the Bay don’t survive, with many struck by ships in the crowded, foggy waters.
Light doesn’t just help plants grow—it may also quietly hold them back. Researchers have uncovered a surprising mechanism where light strengthens the “glue” between a plant’s outer skin and its inner tissues. This tighter bond, driven by a compound called p-coumaric acid, reinforces cell walls but also restricts how much the plant can expand. The discovery reveals a hidden balancing act: light both fuels growth and subtly puts the brakes…
A newly discovered molecule could reshape the future of weight loss treatments by mimicking the powerful appetite-suppressing effects of drugs like Ozempic — but without many of the unpleasant side effects. Identified using artificial intelligence, this tiny peptide, called BRP, appears to act directly on the brain’s appetite-control center, helping animals eat less and lose fat without nausea or muscle loss.
The first-ever published research on Tinshemet Cave reveals that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens in the mid-Middle Paleolithic Levant not only coexisted but actively interacted, sharing technology, lifestyles, and burial customs. These interactions fostered cultural exchange, social complexity, and behavioral innovations, such as formal burial practices and the symbolic use of ochre for decoration. The findings suggest that human connections, rather than isolation, were key drivers of technological and cultural advancements,…
A major study suggests that when you eat could play a key role in staying lean. People who fast longer overnight and start their day with an early breakfast were more likely to have a lower BMI years later. Scientists think this is because eating earlier aligns better with the body’s internal clock. But skipping breakfast as part of intermittent fasting didn’t offer the same advantage—and may even be tied…
Scientists searching for air pollution clues stumbled onto something unexpected: toxic MCCPs drifting through the air for the first time in the Western Hemisphere. The likely source—fertilizer made from sewage sludge—points to a hidden route for contamination.
Scientists have achieved the unthinkable by stabilizing a highly reactive molecule in water, confirming a decades-old theory about vitamin B1’s role in the body. The breakthrough not only solves a scientific mystery but could revolutionize greener chemical manufacturing.
Losing your sense of smell might signal Alzheimer’s far earlier than expected. Scientists found that immune cells in the brain actively destroy smell-related nerve fibers after detecting abnormal signals on their surfaces. This damage begins in early stages of the disease, well before cognitive decline. The discovery could help identify at-risk patients sooner and improve treatment timing.
For years, scientists believed our lifespan was mostly shaped by environment and chance, with genetics playing only a minor role. But a new study from the Weizmann Institute flips that idea on its head, revealing that genes may actually account for about half of the differences in how long people live. By analyzing massive twin datasets—including twins raised apart—and using innovative simulations to filter out deaths from accidents and other…
A cave in Belgium has revealed unsettling evidence that Neanderthals selectively cannibalized outsiders, focusing on women and children. The victims weren’t from the local group and appear to have been treated like prey, with bones butchered for meat and marrow. This suggests the behavior wasn’t ritual, but practical—or possibly linked to intergroup conflict. The discovery paints a darker, more complex picture of Neandertal life during their final millennia.
A colossal “cosmic volcano” has erupted in deep space, as a supermassive black hole in galaxy J1007+3540 roars back to life after nearly 100 million years of silence. Astronomers captured stunning radio images showing fresh jets blasting outward while crashing into the intense pressure of a surrounding galaxy cluster, creating a chaotic, distorted structure stretching nearly a million light-years.
A twice-yearly injection may soon change how high blood pressure is treated. In a global trial, patients receiving the experimental drug zilebesiran alongside standard therapy saw greater blood pressure reductions than those on standard treatment alone. The drug works by blocking a key liver protein, helping blood vessels relax. Researchers say this long-lasting approach could make it much easier for patients to keep their condition under control.
Mars may be hostile, but it might not be entirely unlivable. In lab experiments, yeast cells survived simulated Martian shock waves and toxic perchlorate salts—two major environmental threats on the Red Planet. Their secret weapon was forming protective molecular clusters that shield critical cellular functions under stress. Without these defenses, survival plummeted, pointing to a potential universal strategy life could use beyond Earth.
Researchers are launching a new project to crack the mystery of aggressive breast cancer, where predicting disease progression remains a major hurdle. By studying how tumors interact with and suppress the immune system, scientists aim to identify new biomarkers that reveal how the cancer evolves. Using real patient samples, the team hopes to turn earlier discoveries into practical clinical tools. The goal: more precise, personalized treatments that can outsmart even…
A new study reveals that popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy may not work as effectively for about 10% of people due to specific genetic variants. These individuals appear to have a puzzling condition called “GLP-1 resistance,” where their bodies produce higher levels of the hormone targeted by these drugs—but don’t respond to it properly.
A new nanodisc-based platform lets scientists study viral proteins in a form that closely mimics real viruses, revealing how antibodies truly recognize them. This approach uncovered hidden interactions in viruses like HIV and Ebola that traditional methods missed. By recreating the virus’s membrane environment, researchers can better understand how immune defenses work. The technique could speed up the development of more effective vaccines.
A major international effort has produced an ultra-precise measurement of the Universe’s expansion rate, confirming it’s faster than early-Universe models predict. By linking multiple distance-measuring techniques, scientists ruled out simple errors as the cause of the discrepancy. The persistent “Hubble tension” now looks more real than ever. It could mean our current model of the cosmos is incomplete.
A common eye-health nutrient, zeaxanthin, may also help the body fight cancer more effectively. Scientists discovered it strengthens T cells and enhances the impact of immunotherapy treatments. Found in everyday vegetables and supplements, it’s safe, accessible, and shows strong potential as a cancer therapy booster. Human trials are the next step.
A breakthrough in microbiome research could change how colorectal cancer is detected—no colonoscopy required. Scientists used AI to map gut bacteria at an unprecedented level of detail, revealing subtle microbial patterns linked to cancer. By analyzing simple stool samples, their method identified 90% of cases, rivaling one of medicine’s most trusted diagnostic tools.
Alzheimer’s isn’t just one problem—it’s a tangled mix of biology, aging, and overall health. That’s why drugs targeting a single factor have fallen short, even as new treatments show modest benefits. Scientists are now pushing toward multi-pronged strategies, from gene editing to brain-cell rejuvenation and gut health interventions. The goal: stop treating Alzheimer’s as one disease and start tackling it as a complex system.
Scientists have proposed a surprising new way to detect gravitational waves—by observing how they change the light emitted by atoms. These waves can subtly shift photon frequencies in different directions, leaving behind a detectable signature. The effect doesn’t change how much light atoms emit, which is why it’s gone unnoticed until now. If confirmed, this approach could lead to ultra-compact detectors using cold-atom systems.
A strange new kind of superconductivity has been uncovered in uranium ditelluride (UTe2), where electricity flows with zero resistance—but only under extremely strong magnetic fields that should normally destroy it. Even more surprising, the superconductivity disappears at first and then dramatically reappears at even higher fields, earning it the nickname the “Lazarus phase.”
Researchers have uncovered why a rare blood clotting disorder can occur after certain COVID-19 vaccines or adenovirus infections. The immune system can mistakenly target a normal blood protein (PF4) after confusing it with a viral protein. This triggers clotting in extremely rare cases. The breakthrough means vaccines can now be redesigned to avoid this reaction while staying effective.
A mysterious glow of gamma rays at the center of the Milky Way has long hinted at dark matter, but the lack of similar signals in smaller dwarf galaxies has cast doubt on that idea. Now, researchers propose a bold twist: dark matter might not be a single particle at all, but a mix of two different types that must interact with each other to produce detectable signals.
Dragonflies may see the world in a way that pushes beyond human limits—and surprisingly, they do it using the same molecular trick we evolved ourselves. Scientists discovered that these insects can detect extremely deep red light, even edging into near-infrared, thanks to a specialized visual protein strikingly similar to the one in human eyes. This ability likely helps them spot mates mid-flight by picking up subtle differences in reflected light.
Earth’s nights are steadily getting brighter overall, but the changes vary dramatically by region. Rapid urban growth is lighting up countries like China and India, while parts of Europe are dimming due to energy-saving efforts and new lighting technologies. The most detailed satellite analysis yet shows these shifts happening faster and more unevenly than expected. Even global trends can mask sharp local contrasts, from war-related blackouts to deliberate reductions in…
Cancer drugs known as BET inhibitors once looked like a breakthrough, but in real patients they’ve often fallen short. New research reveals a key reason why: two closely related proteins, BRD2 and BRD4, don’t actually do the same job. Instead, BRD2 acts like a “stage manager,” preparing genes for activation, while BRD4 triggers the final step that turns them on. By blocking both at once, current drugs may be disrupting…
Chronic inflammation often works quietly in the background but can fuel serious diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. New research reveals that everyday plant compounds—like menthol from mint, cineole from eucalyptus, and capsaicin from chili peppers—can team up inside immune cells to dramatically boost their anti-inflammatory power. While individual compounds showed modest effects, certain combinations amplified results hundreds of times over by activating different cellular pathways at once.
Weight loss drugs and bariatric surgery may work differently, but they lead to surprisingly similar results inside the body. Both significantly reduce fat while also causing a modest loss of muscle, reshaping overall body composition. Since muscle helps protect against early death, this balance matters more than the number on the scale. The study suggests these treatments improve health—but not without trade-offs.
Not all parts of our genetic code are equal, even when they appear to say the same thing. Scientists have discovered that cells can detect less efficient genetic instructions and selectively silence them. A protein called DHX29 plays a key role in this process by identifying and suppressing weaker messages. This finding reveals a hidden layer of control in how genes are used.
A new study reveals that gut bacteria may play a key role in triggering ALS and frontotemporal dementia. Harmful sugars produced by these microbes can spark immune responses that damage the brain. This breakthrough explains why some genetically at-risk people develop the diseases while others don’t. Even more promising, reducing these sugars improved brain health in experiments, hinting at new treatment possibilities.
Your brain might be quietly deciding what tastes good before you even take a sip. Researchers found that simply changing what people thought they were drinking—sugar or artificial sweetener—could dramatically shift how much they enjoyed it. When participants believed a drink had artificial sweeteners, real sugar tasted less enjoyable, but when they expected sugar, even artificially sweetened drinks became more pleasurable.
Scientists are uncovering a surprising connection between autism and ADHD that goes deeper than labels. Instead of diagnoses, it’s the severity of autism-like traits that seems to shape how the brain is wired—even in children who don’t officially have autism. The study found that certain brain networks tied to thinking and social behavior stay unusually connected in kids with stronger autism symptoms, hinting at a different developmental path.
New trace fossil discoveries from the half-billion-year-old Cambrian tidal flats of Wisconsin at a site called Blackberry Hill continue to paint the picture of some of the earliest animals to set foot on land and what they might have been eating. The post Ancient Tidal Flats Were Busier Than We Thought appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
New research from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem shows that large language models (LLMs) form structured ‘trust’ assessments much like humans do, yet apply them more mechanically and, sometimes, with stronger, more consistent demographic bias. The post Large Language Models Don’t Just Analyze People, They Judge Them appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
New Webb observations of two exoplanets TRAPPIST-1b and TRAPPIST-1c show blistering days and frozen nights, offering the first detailed climate maps of rocky exoplanets and dimming hopes for habitability. The post Two Earth-Size Worlds in TRAPPIST-1 System Reveal Stark Divide Between Day and Night appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
A newly-identified visual protein lets dragonflies detect deep red and near-infrared light using a mechanism strikingly similar to that in human eyes, an unexpected case of parallel evolution with potential medical applications, according to new research from Osaka Metropolitan University. The post Dragonflies and Humans Share Way of Seeing Red, New Research Shows appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
Using data from over one billion proton-colliding events collected at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC), physicists have measured the mass of the W boson with record accuracy. The post CERN Physicists Pin Down W Boson Mass with Unprecedented Precision appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
In new research, scientists studied a hybrid honeybee population in Southern California, a genetic mix of Western European, Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and African lineages. The post Californian Hybrid Honeybee Population Has Evolved Natural Defense against Varroa Mites: Study appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
A new statistical analysis of archival sky surveys from the early Cold War has found that mysterious, short-lived bursts of light in the night sky were more likely to appear around the time of above-ground nuclear weapons tests and to increase alongside reports of unexplained aerial phenomena (UAPs). The post Mysterious Flashes in 1950s Skies Linked to Nuclear Tests and UAP Sightings: Study appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
Using high-resolution CT and synchrotron scanning, paleontologists confirmed that the fossilized specimen from the Early Triassic of the South African Karoo Basin contains an unborn dicynodont Lystrosaurus, resolving a long-standing mystery about whether early mammal ancestors laid eggs. The post 250-Million-Year-Old Embryonated Dicynodont Egg Found in South Africa appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
An experiment in Germany offers the first evidence of a long-predicted pairing between a nucleus of carbon-11 and η’ meson (eta prime meson), shedding light on how the strongest force in nature helps generate mass. The post Physicists Detect Elusive Nuclear State appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
Paleontologists have examined 289-million-year-old specimens of the early reptile Captorhinus aguti that preserve a covering of three-dimensional skin, a complete shoulder girdle and ribcage with cartilages, and protein remnants that predate the previous oldest-known example by nearly 100 million years. The post Permian Fossil is Earliest Evidence of Rib-Powered Breathing appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
New evidence from Germany suggests Neanderthals captured European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) around 125,000 years ago, likely valuing their shells as tools rather than their modest meat yield. The post Neanderthals Hunted Pond Turtles, But Not for Dinner appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
New images from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope reveal two young stars surrounded by planet-forming disks, Tau 042021 (left) and Oph 163131 (right), offering a rare edge-on glimpse into how worlds like our own may take shape. The post Webb Captures Striking Edge-On Views of Two Planet Nurseries appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
Pohlsepia mazonensis, a cephalopod species first described in 2000 from a 300-million-year-old specimen and featured in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s oldest octopus, has been reclassified as a distant relative of nautiluses, reshaping paleontologists’ timeline for when octopuses first evolved. The post ‘Oldest Fossil Octopus’ Wasn’t One After All appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
A protist species called Stentor coeruleus appears to navigate by sensing physical shapes -- a discovery that suggests even the simplest life forms can exploit geometry to survive. The post Trumpet-Shaped Unicellular Microorganism, Drawn to Corners, Reveals Hidden Sense of Geometry appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
New simulations suggest Jupiter’s powerful magnetism carved a gap in its early disk, helping capture and preserve major moons like Io and Ganymede, while Saturn’s weaker field left its system sparsely populated. The post Jupiter’s Strong Magnetic Field May Explain Why It Has So Many Large Moons appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
Colorado State University archaeologist says Native Americans were crafting dice and playing games of chance as far back as 12,000 years ago, long before such practices were thought to exist outside the Old World. The post Before Casinos, Before Ancient Rome: Ice Age Americans Were Rolling the Dice appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
Using the Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) onboard the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have characterized the atmosphere of TOI-5205b, an extrasolar gas giant orbiting a small, dim red dwarf star. The post Giant Exoplanet TOI-5205b Has Carbon-Rich, Oxygen-Poor Atmosphere, Webb Observations Show appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
An assemblage of more than 700 Ediacaran fossils from the end of the Ediacaran period indicates that key animal groups -- including early relatives of vertebrates -- were already diversifying millions of years earlier than long believed. The post Ediacaran Fossils from China Rewrite Timeline of Animal Evolution appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
A new nanoscale analysis of the Bennu sample OREX-800066-3 returned by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission shows that organic compounds and minerals cluster into distinct regions, suggesting water once altered the asteroid in uneven, localized ways. The post Asteroid Bennu’s Minerals and Organic Matter Occur in Distinct Chemical Domains: Study appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
Astronomers with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment (HETDEX) have detected enormous hydrogen halos, called Lyman-alpha nebulae, around more than 30,000 galaxies 10 billion to 12 billion years ago. The post Astronomers Find Vast Reservoirs of Hydrogen around Early Galaxies appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
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