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: 2 hours 56 min ago
Scientists are racing to solve the mystery of Poland’s 90-year-old Crooked Forest before its bizarre C-shaped pine trees die out forever
A Polish woodland features hundreds of pine trees with lower trunks curving sharply near the ground. These trees were planted in the late 1920s and later abandoned due to war. Foresters may have deliberately bent the saplings for specialized timber production purposes. Natural causes like heavy snow are also suggested but lack definitive proof. The interruption of local life during World War Two preserved this enduring botanical curiosity.
Indian-origin astronaut Anil Menon lifts-off to ISS: Inside Russia's eight-month mission
Nasa astronaut Anil Menon launched for his first spaceflight mission. He will spend eight months aboard the International Space Station. Menon will conduct scientific experiments and technology demonstrations. His research focuses on human adaptation to microgravity and medical advancements. This mission continues cooperation between Nasa and Roscosmos despite global tensions.
Scientists may have solved the 252 million-year-old mystery behind Earth's greatest mass extinction
A new study reveals metabolism's role in Earth's greatest marine extinction event. Organisms' oxygen use and energy generation dictated survival during this ancient crisis. Warming oceans and declining oxygen levels stressed less active ancient marine life. More mobile animals with higher energy demands better survived deteriorating conditions. This ancient shift continues to shape today's diverse ocean ecosystems.
Quote of the day by famous psychiatrist Carl Jung: "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to…" - a timeless insight explains why the people who frustrate us often become our greatest teachers
Carl Jung suggested irritation with others reveals personal insights. Intense reactions often point to inner doubts and fears. This concept encourages self-reflection rather than blame. Understanding personal triggers improves relationships and self-awareness. Examining irritation offers a path to psychological growth.
Rare fossil reveals T. rex’s attack style
An amazing fossil discovery shows a T. rex tooth stuck in an Edmontosaurus skull, dating back 66 million years. This proves a direct clash between these dinosaurs. The tooth confirms T. rex involvement, meaning the Edmontosaurus was either attacked or scavenged. This is crucial evidence for understanding T. rex's hunting habits.
Why do we forget why we walked into a room? The fascinating science behind the "Doorway Effect"
Entering a new room can cause temporary memory lapses for your original intention. This doorway effect is a normal brain process for organizing experiences into distinct events. It happens as your brain updates its mental model of the environment. Working memory limitations and attention shifts also contribute to these forgetful moments. Retracing your steps often helps retrieve the forgotten thought by restoring context.
NASA’s New Horizons travelled 3 billion miles over 9 years to reach Pluto – but it was moving too fast to stop when it arrived
NASA's New Horizons spacecraft completed its swift flyby of Pluto after a nine-year journey. The mission prioritized data collection over live communication during the brief encounter. Scientists received approximately 50 billion bits of data over fifteen months after the flyby. This slow data return revealed Pluto's complex and geologically active icy world. The mission highlighted the trade-off between reach and the patience required for discovery.
Early humans fed salmon to canines 12,000 years ago, that is why dogs are friendly companions
Recent findings reveal that ancient dogs in Alaska had a unique partnership with humans, dating back 12,000 years. This evidence indicates that these canines often shared salmon with early settlers, shedding light on the evolving dynamics between humans and dogs in the Americas. The analysis of fossilized bones uncovered a diet rich in fish, prompting a reevaluation of wolf domestication theories and illustrating a nuanced history of human-canine interactions.
Quote of the day by Marie Curie: "Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and…" - understand what confidence and perseverance can achieve that talent alone never will
Marie Curie's 1894 letter offers timeless advice on facing life's difficulties. She stressed perseverance and self-confidence as essential for achieving goals. Curie wrote this as a struggling student, years before her fame. Her own challenging life lent extraordinary weight to these words. This message remains relevant, emphasizing sustained effort over quick results.
This supersonic jet needed a radiation meter because it flew twice as high as commercial aircraft
The Concorde jet soared near the edge of space, requiring careful monitoring of radiation levels to ensure passenger safety. In the face of hazardous cosmic storms, pilots were mandated to descend to safer altitudes. While this supersonic aircraft typically flew above the majority of Earth's atmospheric shield, fluctuations in radiation exposure depended on several factors including altitude, geography, and solar activity. During such storms, safety took precedence over speed.
Scientists say crushing deep-ocean pressure squeezes hidden nutrients out of sinking marine snow, feeding microbes and changing what we know about Earth’s carbon cycle
Scientists have discovered that the immense pressure in the deep ocean squeezes nutrients out of sinking marine snow—tiny particles of dead algae and organic matter—providing an unexpected food source for deep-sea microbes. The findings suggest more carbon escapes into deep ocean water than previously believed, which could reshape scientists' understanding of Earth's carbon cycle and improve future climate models.
A supernova lit up Earth’s sky in 1054 and was visible in daylight. Hubble now shows its glowing remains are still expanding nearly 1,000 years later
Astronomers used the Hubble Space Telescope to measure the expanding Crab Nebula. New images compared with older ones show gas filaments moving outwards. This ancient stellar explosion's remnant is still actively changing today. The Crab Pulsar at the center continues to power the nebula's glow. Scientists also identified previously unrecognised filament structures within the nebula.
India excavated a 28 km artificial lake in the Thar Desert to line it with a plastic sheet: Aims to supply water to 5 million people in Jaisalmer and Barmer
In a groundbreaking initiative, Rajasthan has constructed an expansive artificial lake designed to augment water supply, benefitting around five million residents in Jaisalmer and Barmer. Lined with plastic to mitigate evaporation, this reservoir aims to maintain water supply during canal repairs. The grand opening of this essential water project is anticipated for July 2026.
Quote of the day by popular psychiatrist Thomas Szasz: "If you have strongly held opinions, you are opinionated; if you don't, you lack…" - a witty observation that exposes the impossible standards society often places on independent thinkers
Thomas Szasz noted people face criticism whether they express strong opinions or remain silent. He observed that holding firm views leads to labels of being opinionated. Conversely, avoiding firm positions results in accusations of lacking conviction. This paradox highlights the impossibility of avoiding judgment from others. Ultimately, the focus should be on well-considered views, not on evading all objections.
Archaeologists uncover 3,000-year-old tomb near Egypt's Luxor; inscriptions suggest it belonged to a man named Paser from the Ramesside period
A 3,000-year-old tomb near Luxor has been discovered by archaeologists. This tomb is believed to belong to a senior official named Paser. Inscriptions within the tomb reveal his prestigious titles and administrative roles. The structure offers insights into ancient burial customs and beliefs about the afterlife. Further exploration promises more details about Paser and ancient Thebes.
