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 9 min ago
Dolphins aren’t cute : GoPro footage shows brutal, unsettling reality of how they hunt
Dolphins are often cast as playful, gentle creatures, but footage from GoPros attached to six wild bottlenose dolphins tells a different story. Trained by the US Navy, the animals were filmed hunting with precision, using sonar clicks, suction feeding and audible “victory squeals” as they consumed hundreds of fish, and even venomous sea snakes, revealing a far more primal side to their behaviour.
This is what the ‘most attractive woman alive’ looks like, according to science
After analysing nearly a decade of Maxim’s Hot 100 lists, researchers attempted to define what “the sexiest woman alive” looks like when reduced to data. The result is a composite rather than a person: dark eyes, long dark hair, a slim build, tattoos, and a medium-to-tall frame. Even then, the study concedes that no single woman fully fits the mould.
NASA confirms a bus-sized asteroid passed Earth on 22 December 2025, and what to expect next
A bus-sized asteroid successfully completed a routine flyby of Earth on December 22, 2025, at a safe distance. NASA confirmed the event, emphasizing that the object was tracked well in advance and posed no threat. This flyby served as a clear demonstration of how near-Earth objects are monitored and understood by scientists.
From space docking to semiconductors: India's scientific leaps in 2025
In 2025, India showcased significant scientific momentum, marked by advancements in space technology with ISRO's achievements and the successful Space Docking Experiment. The nation also made strides in semiconductors with its first indigenous processor and embraced AI for practical applications in agriculture and healthcare, alongside progress in quantum computing and supercomputing infrastructure.
This asteroid might hit moon: Scientists track asteroid 2024 YR4
Astronomers are closely watching asteroid 2024 YR4. This space rock may hit the Moon in December 2032. The impact could be visible from Earth. It could also send debris towards Earth. This poses a risk to satellites and future human missions. The James Webb Space Telescope will provide more data. Scientists are monitoring the skies for safety.
Loud alien signals may be humanity’s first clue to extraterrestrial life
Scientists may soon detect alien life. Astronomer David Kipping suggests initial signals will be loud and unusual. This is because the first detected civilizations might be in decline. Past astronomical discoveries show extreme examples are found first. This could mean humanity receives warnings about advanced societies facing problems. The search for alien life might reveal much about our own future.
US President 2025 bold space plan: Moon landing by 2028, Mars missions, nuclear reactors, and commercial space growth
President Trump has unveiled a new executive order prioritizing space exploration, aiming to return humans to the Moon by 2028 and establish a permanent lunar outpost by 2030. The directive also emphasizes Mars missions, orbital missile defense systems, and fostering a commercial space economy, underscoring a renewed focus on space as a key US strategy.
Louder than jet engines: How snapping shrimp disrupt undersea studies
Tiny snapping shrimp, not whales, are the ocean's loudest animals, reaching up to 210 decibels with their claw snaps. This intense noise disrupts marine research globally, masking other animal sounds and interfering with acoustic mapping. Climate change is exacerbating the issue by increasing shrimp activity in warmer waters.
Building Mars colonies with ice: How scientists plan to make it possible
Mars' abundant ice offers a revolutionary solution for future human settlements. Scientists propose using this frozen water as a primary building material, providing crucial insulation against extreme temperatures and harmful radiation. This sustainable approach significantly reduces reliance on Earth-based supplies, making Mars colonization more practical and cost-effective, paving the way for a new era of space exploration.
James Webb reveals a bizarre lemon-shaped planet 2,000 light-years away
The James Webb Telescope has discovered an exoplanet, PSR J2322-2650b, orbiting a pulsar 2,000 light-years away. This planet, shaped like a lemon due to extreme gravitational forces, boasts a unique atmosphere rich in carbon compounds and helium, unlike any previously observed. Its extreme heat and composition challenge current planetary formation theories.
'For the first time': Cube-shaped skull found in Mexico reveals shocking ancient cultural practice
Archaeologists in Mexico unearthed a unique cube-shaped skull. This discovery sheds light on ancient cranial deformation practices. The skull belonged to a man who lived over a thousand years ago. This ancient tradition involved reshaping a child's skull using boards and bandages. The findings suggest possible cultural links across ancient Mesoamerican regions. Read more about this here!
Meet Subhasish Mitra and Tathagata Srimani: Indian-origin professors build America’s first monolithic 3D AI chip
Indian-origin professors have pioneered America's first monolithic 3D AI chip, fabricated in a US foundry. This breakthrough, developed by a multi-institutional team, significantly boosts AI performance and energy efficiency by stacking memory and processing units vertically. The innovation tackles the 'memory wall' bottleneck, paving the way for faster, more powerful AI systems and strengthening domestic chip manufacturing.
'Alien life will be found by 2075': UK’s top space scientist claims we are not alone
Renowned space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock is 'absolutely convinced' life exists beyond Earth, predicting confirmation by 2075. She highlights the universe's vastness and recent technological advances, like the James Webb Telescope, enabling detailed planet atmosphere analysis. While microscopic life is the most likely discovery, the search itself fosters global cooperation and a broader perspective on humanity's place.
This ancient fish has a genome so massive it dwarfs humans by 30 times
The South American lungfish genome, the largest animal genome sequenced at 91 billion base pairs, has been fully decoded. This breakthrough offers insights into evolutionary biology, revealing that genome size doesn't equate to organismal complexity. The lungfish's genetic makeup provides a glimpse into the transition of vertebrates from water to land.
Isro LVM3-M6 mission: US BlueBird Block-2 satellite to launch on December 24 - check details
Isro's LVM3-M6 mission will launch the BlueBird Block-2 satellite on December 24 for AST SpaceMobile, aiming to provide global high-speed mobile connectivity directly to smartphones. This next-generation satellite, the largest and heaviest commercial payload for LEO by Isro's LVM3, will enable 4G and 5G services worldwide, bridging connectivity gaps for billions.
10 must-know facts about Venus and its mysteries
Venus, often called Earth's twin, hides extreme conditions and secrets. It is the solar system's hottest planet due to a dense atmosphere. Its atmosphere rotates faster than the planet itself. Venus also rotates backwards and is covered in volcanoes. The atmospheric pressure is immense. It shows phases like the Moon and is the brightest planet in the night sky.
What lies beneath Africa? Two enormous structures that appear not to belong to Earth
Two massive, unusual structures, dubbed low shear velocity provinces, have been discovered deep beneath Africa. Scientists believe these formations, hundreds of kilometers thick, are composed of ancient oceanic crust that subducted into the mantle millions of years ago. Their unique composition and density cause seismic waves to slow, influencing volcanic activity and heat flow on the surface.
Indian mathematician's genius formula from a century ago might explain the dark secrets of black holes
Indian scientists have unearthed a surprising connection between Srinivasa Ramanujan's 1914 pi formulas and modern physics, particularly theories describing black holes and turbulent fluids. These extraordinary mathematical insights, previously unexplained, now appear to mirror the underlying mathematics of systems exhibiting scale invariance and extreme change, offering new avenues for scientific discovery.
