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 19 min ago
Florida is planting 15,000 milkweeds along highways to help monarch butterflies
Scientists and transport officials in Florida have planted 15,000 milkweed plants along roadsides to help monarch butterflies survive and reproduce. Milkweed is the only plant on which monarchs lay their eggs, making it essential for their life cycle. The project also supports bees and other pollinators while testing whether roadside habitats can become long-term wildlife corridors across the state.
DNA from 457 koalas suggests the species nearly went extinct 100,000 years ago, before humans...
Approximately 100,000 years ago, koalas faced near extinction due to brutal ice ages. A recent genetic study triumphantly highlights that this crisis occurred well before humans populated Australia. By examining koala genomes, scientists have beautifully illustrated how climate shifts triggered significant declines in their population. Presently, however, modern threats stem largely from human activities, underscoring the urgent need for dedicated conservation measures.
Archaeologists unearthed a rare 2,600-year-old Assyrian stele, a decade after ISIS damaged the city
A stunning 2,600-year-old Assyrian monument has surfaced in Nineveh, Iraq, celebrating the architectural feats of King Ashurbanipal. Unearthed amidst restoration efforts at the Shamash Gate, this stone artifact reveals essential details about Assyrian urban development. This significant find stands as a testament to the resilience of cultural identities, aiding in reconciling historical disruptions and preservation.
Earth has regulated its climate for 60 million years through a hidden ocean feedback
A new study has identified a natural process that may have helped keep Earth's climate stable for the past 60 million years. Researchers found that changes in sea level controlled the amount of phosphate reaching the oceans, affecting marine life, carbon burial beneath the seafloor and the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The findings offer a new explanation for how Earth naturally regulated long-term warming and cooling.
Scientists use teeth to trace childhood journeys of Africans freed from slave ships
A new study has uncovered the childhood origins of 152 Africans rescued from illegal slave ships and taken to Saint Helena nearly 200 years ago. Using tooth chemistry, ancient DNA and historical records, researchers found they came from different parts of Central Africa, with many forced to travel long distances before reaching the coast. The findings help restore the identities of people whose lives were erased by the transatlantic slave trade.
Famous chimpanzees solved puzzles that changed how humans understood intelligence, but their move to Berlin had a tragic ending
Pioneering chimpanzee experiments revealed advanced intelligence and problem-solving skills. These apes demonstrated insight, challenging human uniqueness in reasoning. After their research, the chimpanzees faced harsh conditions in Berlin. Their welfare declined, and their lives were largely overlooked by history. New research highlights their forgotten stories and ethical responsibilities in science.
Sequoia trees: Ancient grooves that need fire to reproduce, but are being killed by massive modern wildfires
A recent study has shown that wildfires have decimated seventeen percent of mature giant sequoias since 2015, leaving many groves vulnerable to further threats. Alarmingly, only twenty-six percent of the remaining areas have high wildfire resistance. Efforts to restore resilience and health are actively taking place in forty-four groves. The combination of warm winters and dry spells heightens the danger of future devastating wildfires.
Cyclospora outbreak in US: What to know about the explosive stomach infection and its source
The United States is currently grappling with the most significant Cyclospora outbreak in its history, with over one thousand six hundred confirmed cases spanning forty-five states. Health officials are actively tracing potential sources, with lettuce emerging as a major suspect. To mitigate risks, health experts emphasize standard hygiene and food safety practices. This parasite season is expected to last until late August.
Why everything Marie Curie and her husband touched is kept in lead-lined boxes till date
In a humble Paris shed, Marie and Pierre Curie painstakingly extracted radium from pitchblende, embarking on a journey that would earn them Nobel Prizes and revolutionize cancer treatments. Their meticulous research not only revealed the dangers of radioactive materials, which still pose risks today, but also left a legacy that continues to inspire scientists and medical innovators around the world.
Study finds James Webb could underestimate water on sub-Neptune exoplanets
New research suggests sub-Neptune exoplanets may hide significant water layers. These hidden layers could make atmospheric observations underestimate total water content. The James Webb Space Telescope's current methods might miss these deeper water reservoirs. This discovery could reshape how scientists interpret data from distant worlds. Future models will account for chemical layering in planetary interiors.
Nasa's Curiosity rover discovers evidence of an ancient sandstorm preserved in Mars rocks for billions of years
Nasa's Curiosity rover discovered ancient sandstorm evidence in Gale Crater. Delicate ripple-like layers reveal a single weather event from billions of years ago. This discovery indicates Mars once had a much denser atmosphere than today. These formations are the first definitive evidence of an ancient Martian sandstorm. The preserved event offers a rare glimpse into early Martian climate conditions.
Scientists discover heat-resistant coral reefs across 71 countries that could help protect oceans
A groundbreaking study has revealed the extensive mapping of over 64,000 square miles of heat-resistant coral reefs globally, empowered by artificial intelligence across 71 nations and 100 territories. These extraordinary underwater locales feature traits that help coral ecosystems endure and rebound from intense marine heatwaves. The outcomes of this research present an essential blueprint for focused conservation financing and the safeguarding of marine life during the alarming bleaching epidemic.
Quote of the day by Isaac Newton: "No great discovery was ever made without…"
Genuine scientific progress begins with a bold guess, a question without an immediate answer. This initial hypothesis, though unproven, provides a crucial starting point for investigation. Curiosity fuels the process, opening avenues for evidence to later confirm or refute ideas. Even if the attribution is uncertain, the sentiment reflects how discovery truly functions. Fear of being wrong often hinders people from proposing new concepts for testing.
