Science Alert
Catch up on the latest science news, from space and technology to life and environmental research- all the discoveries shaping our world today.
Updated: 1 hour 49 min ago
Meet Angelo Casimiro: The 15-year-old who designed shoes that generate electricity from human footsteps
Angelo Casimiro designed a unique pair of shoes that generate electricity from walking movements. While current power levels are low, this technology suits smaller gadgets. Supercapacitors offer an efficient way to store this energy. Such innovations can significantly lower individual carbon footprints.
In 1924, Arctic charr from Lake Geneva were stocked into Lake Allos; a century later...
Introduced to Lake Allos in 1924, Arctic charr exhibit remarkable metabolic adaptations within just a century. These fish showcase rapid physiological changes, attributed mainly to their phenotypic plasticity, resulting in distinct body shapes. Notably, juveniles from Lake Allos consistently demonstrate elevated metabolic rates, even under controlled conditions. This research underscores the species' ability to swiftly adapt to their ever-changing environmental landscape.
The Amazon’s zombie fungus manipulates ants into biting plants before death; scientists have now found it living silently inside mosses more than 10 metres away
Researchers discovered the zombie-ant fungus may have a hidden life stage within mosses. This finding suggests a more complex relationship than previously understood by scientists. The fungus appears to live quietly inside plants before infecting ants for manipulation. This discovery indicates a multi-species ecological network involving plants and insects. The study reshapes how scientists view parasite evolution and survival in biodiverse systems.
Female mammals usually outlive males, but a 27-year study found the pattern was reversed among...
A comprehensive study spanning twenty-seven years has revealed that female birds face lower survival rates compared to their male counterparts. This trend has been observed in thirty-five distinct bird species throughout North America. The challenges posed by migration and reproduction seem to disproportionately affect females. Furthermore, genetic factors related to sex chromosomes may play a role in this issue.
70-million-year-old mammal fossil discovered in Mongolia rewrites the story of early mammal evolution
A new fossil from Mongolia's Gobi Desert has reshaped mammalian evolutionary understanding. This 70-million-year-old Tamirkhan balcarceli fossil belonged to zhelestids, which were previously misunderstood. The complete skeleton shows zhelestids were not early placental mammals as once thought. Instead, they were part of the extinct zalambdalestoid lineage, which evolved similar teeth independently. This discovery alters interpretations of mammalian diversity during the Late Cretaceous period.
Scientists say massive Pacific Ring of Fire eruptions may have cooled Earth for centuries
Large volcanic eruptions from the Pacific Ring of Fire influenced past climate. These eruptions correlate with major glacial advances and cold spells. Over eighty percent of glacial advances occurred near significant eruptions. Volcanic sulphur aerosols cause atmospheric cooling and reduce solar radiation. These eruptions may have intensified the 8.2 ka cold event.
A wild Himalayan spice is helping 200 families protect 100 sq km of forest while generating an income of Rs 39 lakh
Indigenous communities in Arunachal Pradesh are now earning livelihoods from a native spice. This wild Himalayan spice, known locally as Khagi, is helping over two hundred families. The community-led system for harvesting and marketing the spice supports forest patrols and biodiversity monitoring. This initiative provides a direct economic incentive for people to protect their forests and agricultural land. The project also contributes to the conservation of important transboundary wildlife habitats.
14-year-old Indian American girl builds system to predict driver fatigue, eyes $25,000 prize
Fourteen-year-old Indian-American student Sharvi Mahajan has developed NeuroDrive Alert, an EEG-based machine learning system that tracks brain activity to predict driver fatigue before microsleep occurs. Her innovation has earned her a place among the 10 finalists of the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge, where she will compete for a $25,000 prize.
Texas engineers are building fish-like nano-robots that could harvest lithium from seawater and transform the future of clean energy
Texas A&M engineers are developing fish-like nano-robots to harvest lithium from seawater. These autonomous microscopic robots use specialised particles activated by light for movement. This innovative approach offers a sustainable alternative to traditional land-based mining methods.
The Southern Ocean may be Earth’s safest place to remove carbon from the atmosphere, scientists find
Tiny reef fish thrived near seabird islands; where rats wiped birds out, marine food chains changed
Tropical islands are facing a surprising ecological shift as invasive rats disrupt the balance of coral reef ecosystems. By decimating seabird numbers, these rats cut down on essential nutrient contributions to the reefs. As a result, tiny cryptobenthic fish flourish in nutrient-rich spots, while invertebrates find success in less fertile regions, reshaping the food web and highlighting the vulnerable nature of these priceless underwater habitats.
