A groundbreaking study has unveiled Antarctica's hidden, rugged topography beneath its ice sheet, revealing mountains, valleys and canyons. Using advanced satellite data, scientists mapped this complex subglacial landscape, crucial for understanding ice flow and predicting sea-level rise. This discovery reshapes our view of the continent, offering vital insights into Earth's geological past and future climate.

Scientists exploring the South China Sea's Dragon Hole, a deep underwater sinkhole, discovered a thriving microbial world and an astonishing 1,700 unclassified viral types. This extreme, oxygen-starved environment, with its layered waters, offers crucial insights into life's resilience and the hidden roles of viruses in Earth's harshest ecosystems.

Ancient wooden boats, some dating back 5,200 years, have been discovered in Wisconsin's Lake Mendota. This significant find reveals long-term Indigenous communities with advanced knowledge of resources, mobility, and engineering. The strategically placed boats suggest a sophisticated system of shared transport and resource access, reshaping our understanding of early North American travel networks.

Across the world, winter’s sudden freezes trigger sharp, gunshot-like cracks in trees, known as frost cracking. While branches may fall, fully “exploding” trees are extremely rare. Experts stress most cracks are harmless and self-heal, and caution that some dramatic viral videos are staged or manipulated for virality, rather than showing real danger.

A new study using fossil evidence suggests extinct giant kangaroos, some weighing up to 250kg, were physically capable of hopping. Researchers found their bones and Achilles tendons were strong enough to withstand the impact of jumping. While not as efficient as modern kangaroos for long distances, this capability could have been used for bursts of speed or escape.

The ocean floor is becoming a massive plastic dump, with debris accumulating in deep-sea canyons and harming marine life. Scientists warn that this hidden pollution, dominated by plastics and ghost fishing gear, poses a long-term threat to hundreds of species. Prevention is the only viable solution, as deep-sea cleanup is impractical.