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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: 2 hours 58 min ago

What is the colour of water, and why does it look clear in a glass but blue in the sea

26/12/2025
Water's colour, often unseen in small amounts, reveals itself in larger bodies like the sea. Scientists explain that water absorbs red light more than blue, a phenomenon noticeable only with significant depth. Particles, algae, and even sky reflection further influence the hues we perceive, turning clear water into a vibrant spectacle.

The Red Sea isn’t red — so why does it have that name?

26/12/2025
The Red Sea is a vital global trade route connecting Europe and Asia. This narrow sea boasts incredible marine biodiversity with numerous fish and coral species. Its name's origin remains a mystery, with theories linking it to bacteria, cardinal directions, or coastal terrain. The Red Sea is a place of natural wonders and human history.

A hidden Arctic world: Methane mounds and life found 3.6 km below the Greenland Sea

25/12/2025
Scientists have found a unique geological and biological complex deep in the Greenland Sea. Methane hydrate mounds, formed by trapped methane and ice, were discovered along the Molloy Ridge. These mounds support chemosynthetic organisms, life that thrives without sunlight. This discovery offers new insights into Arctic oceanography and methane stability.

A step toward time travel? Physicists reverse waves in time

25/12/2025
Scientists are engineering electromagnetic waves to retrace their temporal paths, a breakthrough in wave physics. This 'time reversal' doesn't involve historical travel but reverses a wave's sequence, enabling frequency shifts and precise signal manipulation. This innovative approach, demonstrated through 'time interfaces,' promises significant advancements in communications, imaging, and signal control, pushing the boundaries of physical design.

What space sunlight really does to human skin: Do astronauts need sunscreen in space

25/12/2025
Astronauts do not need sunscreen in space because their advanced spacesuits and spacecraft windows are designed to block harmful UV radiation. These engineered protections, rather than topical lotions, ensure safety from the Sun's harsh rays during extravehicular activities and inside habitats. A rare suit tear did cause one astronaut sunburn, highlighting the critical role of this technology.

Does cracking your knuckles make them bigger? Scientists finally settle long-standing myth

24/12/2025
For decades, knuckle cracking has been blamed for arthritis and joint damage. Scientists now say the sound comes from gas cavities forming inside synovial fluid, not bones or cartilage. MRI studies and long-term experiments, including a 50-year self-study, show no evidence that habitual knuckle cracking causes arthritis or enlarges joints.

Insect Use In Moon And Mars Habitats: NASA explores ecosystem support; closed-loop life systems eyed

24/12/2025
NASA is exploring the use of insects for future space missions. These small creatures can help pollinate crops, process waste, and maintain soil health on the Moon and Mars. Their ability to thrive in controlled environments with gravity offers a sustainable solution for long-term human survival beyond Earth. This biological approach complements technological advancements for space exploration.

Why mosquitoes bite you more: The surprising science behind being a 'mosquito magnet'

24/12/2025
Some people seem to attract mosquitoes far more than others, and scientists think there are clear biological reasons why. Research points to carbon dioxide output, body heat, clothing colour, exercise, pregnancy, skin chemistry and even blood type as factors that influence bites. Together, these cues help mosquitoes single out certain humans as preferred targets.

A 15,600-year-old human footprint in Chile may rewrite the story of the first Americans

24/12/2025
A 15,600-year-old human footprint discovered in southern Chile is now believed to be the earliest confirmed sign of human presence in South America. This discovery, made near Osorno, predates the previously accepted earliest settlement by about a thousand years, potentially altering migration timelines.

Black Moon Explained For Stargazers: Rare new moon patterns aid astronomy; 2026 dates for India

24/12/2025
Skywatchers, take note! A 'black moon,' a rare lunar timing event, occurs when there are two new moons in a single month or the third new moon in a four-new-moon season. While invisible, these nights offer the darkest skies, perfect for stargazing and astrophotography. Plan your celestial observations for 2026 with our new moon calendar, featuring IST times.

NASA reveals Earth’s accidental space shield and the changing face of near-Earth radiation

24/12/2025
Human radio waves have inadvertently altered Earth's radiation belts, creating an unexpected barrier that modifies radiation behavior. While solar storms can rapidly create temporary, powerful radiation belts, human activity has caused a more subtle, long-term change. This dual influence necessitates a reevaluation of space environment models for future space exploration and technology.

‘My interviewer wasn’t even human’: Job seeker shares bizarre interview experience with AI avatar

24/12/2025
Artificial intelligence is no longer confined to screening CVs or scheduling interviews. Two unsettling Reddit accounts describe interviews where neither side realised they were speaking to a machine. Perfect answers, repeated phrasing and lifeless precision exposed the truth. The stories hint at a near future where human presence in hiring becomes optional, and increasingly difficult to verify.

Dolphins aren’t cute : GoPro footage shows brutal, unsettling reality of how they hunt

23/12/2025
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

23/12/2025
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

23/12/2025
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

23/12/2025
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

23/12/2025
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

23/12/2025
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.

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