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 55 min ago
Spanish vineyard thrives for more than 20 years without irrigation or pesticides, boosting soil organic matter
A Spanish vineyard study revealed significant soil health improvements over two decades. Long-term vegetation cover doubled topsoil organic matter compared to tilled areas. This practice enhanced soil porosity and biological activity in dry conditions. The findings suggest reduced soil disturbance benefits water-limited vineyards. Allowing plants to remain strengthens soil function under challenging climates.
Once used for canal dredgings, this English site now shelters 35 pairs of rare grebes
A former dumping ground for Manchester Ship Canal dredgings in Cheshire has been restored into a wetland. Black-necked grebe breeding pairs rose from four in 2023 to 35 in 2025, with the site now supporting 64% of the UK's average breeding population.
China’s solar panels reduced young sea cucumbers’ inactivity by 12 days
Solar panels placed over sea cucumber ponds in China have effectively lowered water temperatures, leading to a significant reduction in the summer dormancy period for young sea cucumbers by twelve days. Alongside this, the panels changed the distribution of plankton and minimized organic material in the pond sediments. These insights highlight the potential of aquavoltaics to enhance aquaculture practices while promoting sustainable energy solutions.
Centuries-old plaque on eight people’s teeth preserved a surprisingly detailed menu of what they ate in Osaka
Dental plaque analysis revealed diverse diets for Edo-period Osaka commoners. Researchers found proteins from 17 food types, including luxury red sea bream. This suggests developing markets made once-exclusive foods accessible to ordinary people. Salmon proteins indicated food traveled long distances via extensive shipping networks. Even cottonseed oil and terrestrial animal meat were consumed by these individuals.
From strange worlds to rare planets: Nasa’s Roman Telescope begins its cosmic hunt
Nasa's new Roman Space Telescope has launched on a mission to explore distant planets. This observatory will search for dark matter and dark energy across the universe. It is expected to discover thousands of new planets and billions of galaxies. The telescope's wide field of view surpasses Hubble's capabilities significantly. Roman will build upon the discoveries of Webb and Hubble observatories.
In 2019, a YouTuber was challenged to plant millions of trees, today his campaign has planted 25 million worldwide
MrBeast, the popular YouTuber, launched an ambitious initiative known as #TeamTrees. This groundbreaking campaign garnered viral attention, resulting in the planting of millions of trees funded by generous online donations. Partnering with various influencers and environmental organizations, it has successfully restored vast tracts of land and sequestered significant amounts of carbon. His innovative use of social media demonstrates how digital platforms can drive meaningful charitable endeavors.
Astronomers hear a mysterious cosmic hum linked to strange dark stars from 13 billion years ago
Astronomers may have found a new way to investigate the Universe's first supermassive black holes. A faint gravitational-wave hum detected through pulsars could contain clues about ancient objects. Hypothetical Dark Stars, powered partly by dark matter, could have left black-hole descendants. These ancient black-hole seeds could grow and merge, producing part of the gravitational-wave background.
Northern spotted owl once became a symbol of America’s logging wars; now scientists say it is already functionally extinct
The northern spotted owl, once a revered icon of environmental activism, faces dire circumstances as it becomes functionally extinct in numerous regions. A recent study indicates a severe decline in its populations throughout their historical habitat. Factors such as habitat destruction and rampant wildfires have severely impacted the species over the years, while the encroaching barred owl emerges as a formidable threat.
Chicago physicist’s 20-year-old quantum imaging theory gets experimental proof using superconductors
The University of Illinois Chicago’s Dirk Morr proposed a way to create high-resolution quantum images using superconductors two decades ago. A new experiment by researchers in Germany, supported by Morr’s theoretical model, has now produced quantum imaging similar to what he predicted, providing experimental confirmation of his earlier work.
NASA tests GPS-free navigation using other satellites and space debris as landmarks
NASA has tested FALCON, a system that lets satellites navigate without GPS by using other spacecraft and orbital debris as reference points. During a three-day test, the system autonomously improved the known orbits of more than 200 space objects while also calculating the position of NASA’s Starling spacecraft.
324-million-year-old insect still had swimming paddles
A remarkable fossil unearthed in Texas sheds light on the evolutionary journey of insects transitioning from aquatic to terrestrial life. This ancient species featured paddle-like limbs designed for swimming and additional legs on its abdomen, indicating a semi-aquatic lifestyle in shallow coastal regions. This find is crucial in understanding the slow, gradual adaptations insects underwent over millions of years in their evolutionary history.
In 2009, Minnesota treated Pickerel Lake with fish poison to remove common carp; water clarity rose nearly 600% and plant cover climbed from 4.6% to 90%
Pickerel Lake, Minnesota, has battled significant water quality and algal bloom problems for decades, primarily due to invasive common carp taking over the shallow waters. After their removal in 2009, the lake underwent a remarkable ecological revival, with water clarity significantly improving and native aquatic plants flourishing once more. This successful restoration highlights the pivotal role of addressing invasive species in revitalizing ecosystems.
Viking woman’s clothes preserved by her jewellery for 1,300 years
Danish archaeologists discovered rare Viking textile remains near Varde. Corrosion from jewelry preserved these ancient wool and linen fragments. This discovery offers a rare glimpse into Viking dress from 1,300 years ago. Researchers will analyze the fibers and teeth for more information. Dating the textiles will reveal if ornaments were new or inherited.
