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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 34 min ago

Nagaland discoveries push known human habitation in Northeast India back by around 3,500 years

2 hours 7 min ago
Archaeologists have made an exciting discovery in Nagaland's Noklak district, uncovering pottery fragments that are approximately 3,500 years old. This revelation extends the timeline of human occupancy in Northeast India. The site also yielded stone tools and charred cereal remnants, hinting at a more intricate pattern of human migration and the development of agriculture. Continued exploration is anticipated to reveal even more about this ancient past.

New Zealand removed 200,000 mice from an island; native bird populations more than doubled

4 hours 14 min ago
New Zealand's 2016 effort to remove an estimated 200,000 mice from Antipodes Island has been followed by a clear recovery in native bird populations. Monitoring confirmed the mice were gone in 2018, while surveys over the next six years found Antipodes Island pipit and snipe numbers had more than doubled.

Apollo 15 astronauts found green glass beads on the Moon; decades later, they revealed evidence of water inside

5 hours 49 min ago
Apollo 15 astronauts found unusual green flecks on the Moon's surface. These flecks were later identified as volcanic glass beads containing trapped water. Researchers discovered hydrogen within these tiny beads, proving lunar water existed. This finding challenged the long-held belief that the Moon was extremely dry. The discovery revealed significant water presence deep within the Moon's interior.

From Thumba to tomorrow: Indian space programme is preparing for its biggest leap yet

6 hours 8 min ago
India's space program began with a small rocket range in 1962. It progressed to launching its first satellite and developing indigenous launch vehicles. Chandrayaan-3's lunar landing marked a significant achievement for the nation. The program now includes private sector involvement and ambitious future goals. India aims for a space station by 2035 and a lunar landing by 2040.

Delhi-NCR twins turn okra, fenugreek and rice husk into a Rs 100 electricity-free water filter

9 hours 31 min ago
Delhi-NCR twins Naina and Nayantara Singh developed a plant-based water purification system. Their innovation, Aqua Sattva, uses okra, fenugreek, and rice husk to remove contaminants. This system targets microplastics and PFAS, often called forever chemicals. Independent laboratory testing showed significant removal efficiency for these pollutants. The affordable and eco-friendly prototype aims to make safe drinking water more accessible.

Jharkhand's Dhanbad turned a barren coal-belt hillock green; CISF is now trying the same experiment on 6 acres along Delhi’s Yamuna

22/08/2026
In a remarkable effort to rejuvenate Delhi's Yamuna floodplain, CISF personnel have embarked on an ambitious forest reclamation project. By planting thousands of trees and vetiver grass near Sarai Kale Khan, they aim to combat land degradation and curb soil erosion along the riverbank. This initiative, inspired by a successful ecological effort in Dhanbad's mining regions, is part of a larger strategy for restoring and preserving the Yamuna floodplain.

Scientists realised 1,200 Starlink satellites could double as a giant scanner for Earth’s atmosphere

22/08/2026
Starlink satellites are now helping scientists map Earth's upper atmosphere. Researchers used orbital data from Starlink to estimate thermosphere density. This method creates a two-dimensional map of atmospheric density variations. The findings offer a new way to study this difficult-to-observe region. Commercial satellite data is becoming an unexpected scientific resource.

Asia’s high-mountain ‘water tower’ is losing 24 billion tonnes of groundwater annually, new research finds

22/08/2026
Groundwater reserves in High Mountain Asia are experiencing severe depletion annually due to a combination of climate impacts and excessive human water usage. The irrigation needs in the lower basins dramatically exacerbate groundwater storage losses. If current consumption trends continue, projections suggest that depletion will persist. Although temporary glacier melt may provide a short reprieve, this will be followed by a more rapid decline.

New snake species named after Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash; here’s why scientists chose him

22/08/2026
In a fascinating discovery, scientists have unveiled a new non-venomous snake species from New Guinea, named Lielaphis slashi. This remarkable naming pays tribute to Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, also known as Saul Hudson, who has always been captivated by reptiles and the natural world. First encountered during past fieldwork, this small ground-dwelling snake signifies the incredible biodiversity and urgent conservation efforts needed in New Guinea.

Astronomers find evidence of a galaxy merger 12 billion years ago shaping the Milky Way

22/08/2026
A fascinating discovery has emerged from astronomers: evidence of a galaxy merger that occurred within our Milky Way. This merger, which transpired around 12 billion years ago, involved a dwarf galaxy called LKH. By studying globular clusters, researchers uncovered essential details that point to increased star formation during the galaxy's formative years, deepening our insight into its complex evolutionary history.

Sophie Adenot becomes first French woman to walk in space as ISS job continues

22/08/2026
On August 18, French astronaut Sophie Adenot made history with her first spacewalk, collaborating with Anil Menon to replace a vital station antenna. However, they were unable to complete the task due to time constraints. A follow-up spacewalk is set for August 25, focusing on the antenna installation and potentially addressing additional maintenance tasks if time permits.

Scientists use rainforest sounds to teach AI to identify hard-to-recognise birds

21/08/2026
Researchers at Cornell University are leveraging thousands of rainforest recordings to develop an artificial intelligence system that can recognize various bird species inhabiting the Amazon. Preliminary results indicate that rubber agroforestry encourages a greater diversity of bird life compared to traditional cattle pastures. This valuable data can assist in promoting sustainable rubber practices among local farmers, ultimately supporting conservation while providing economic benefits to the Amazonian community.

Scientists find a new frog species hidden in a museum drawer for a century

21/08/2026
In a surprising revelation, a common frog species from Ecuador and Colombia remained misnamed for more than a century. Researchers uncovered this taxonomic blunder through a careful review of historical museum specimens and identified it as Pristimantis milpe. This finding underscores the vital role that archived collections play in advancing scientific knowledge and correcting longstanding misconceptions in taxonomy.

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