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: 1 hour 58 min ago
Communities marry glaciers in Gilgit-Baltistan to create new ice reserves amid climate change
Communities in Gilgit-Baltistan are reviving glacier grafting to address water scarcity. This ancient practice involves creating artificial glaciers by carefully combining ice pieces. The process requires specific high-altitude conditions and meticulous transport to prevent melting. Local people believe water is a sentient being and must be cared for. This tradition offers a sustainable solution for future water needs.
Cockroach milk crystals pack dense nutrients, earn scientists Ig Nobel Prize
Pacific beetle cockroaches have an extraordinary ability to produce a milk-like substance for their young, which crystallizes into nutrient-dense forms within the developing embryos. This innovative discovery, highlighted by the 2026 Ig Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to the research team, showcases how unconventional studies can lead to astonishing scientific revelations.
Harvard scientists keep brain organoids alive for over five years, mimicking brain development
Harvard neuroscientists have kept human brain organoids alive for over five years. These organoids matured and followed molecular patterns of human brain development. Older cells retained developmental information, allowing them to skip ahead in neuron production. Improved culture conditions and nutrient supplements supported the organoids' extended survival. This breakthrough offers new avenues for studying brain biology and disease progression.
A giant 10-sided wave is emerging around Saturn’s south pole, Hubble observations show
Saturn's south pole reveals a giant, evolving 10-sided atmospheric wave. Hubble telescope observations trace subtle signs of this pattern back to 2023. This newly identified feature is embedded in a powerful jet stream and extends through multiple atmospheric layers. Scientists have searched for a southern counterpart to the northern hexagon for decades. This discovery offers a rare chance to observe a major atmospheric pattern developing in real time.
A 14-year-old farm boy’s 1921 vision helped inspire electronic television
Philo Farnsworth, a visionary, first conceptualized electronic television while walking through a potato field. He managed to gather investments and created a dedicated lab for his pioneering innovation. This caught the eye of Hollywood and RCA, culminating in a notable patent dispute that saw Farnsworth emerge victorious. Unfortunately, the commercial advancement of television faced a setback during World War II, resulting in a delay of his groundbreaking invention's potential.
Scientists reveal 7 countries most likely to survive a global collapse by maintaining society and food production
In an intriguing analysis, two studies have spotlighted seven island nations poised to withstand global calamities. New Zealand emerges as the frontrunner, lauded for its geographic isolation and abundant local resources. Australia, on the other hand, shines in nuclear winter scenarios, showcasing its vast food production potential. Both countries, however, grapple with import dependency for vital supplies, indicating distinct variations in their readiness based on various global crisis models.
In 2023, Princeton researchers tested radiative cooling, keeping a building 3.9°C cooler
Researchers tested a building's ability to stay cooler than outside air naturally. A special roof released heat towards the sky, while airflow moved air through openings. This passive system kept the test box significantly cooler than the prevailing outdoor temperature. The experiment demonstrated radiative cooling working with thermal mass and temperature-driven ventilation. This approach offers a way to cool buildings without mechanical systems.
In 2016, conservationists put the bends back into a Lake District river straightened 200 years earlier
Conservationists undertook an inspiring project to restore the natural meanders of Swindale Beck, which had been straightened for centuries. Within just a few months, the restored gravel beds welcomed back the Atlantic salmon to spawn, while also decreasing flood risks and enhancing drinking water quality for millions. This remarkable recovery fostered a thriving habitat for aquatic insects and river birds, ultimately earning the UK River Prize in 2022.
