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 6 min ago
Did the butterflies remember him? Japanese student's discovery uncovers astonishing insect memory, publishes 33 page report
A ten-year-old boy named Jo Nagai hand-raised swallowtail butterflies in Japan. He discovered these insects could remember him after metamorphosis and training. Nagai's experiment showed sense memories survived the caterpillar's complete body transformation. His trained butterflies passed this learned avoidance to their offspring and grandchildren. This groundbreaking research presented at an international congress shocked the scientific community.
Meet Abraham de Moivre: Mathematician who calculated his own death based on his sleep pattern and was proven right
Abraham de Moivre, a prominent figure in French mathematics, is best known for his contributions to probability theory. An intriguing aspect of his legacy lies in his unique prediction about the day he would die, derived from the careful monitoring of his daily sleep duration. This systematic approach led him to a chilling conclusion about his life expectancy, sparking ongoing debate among scholars about its validity.
Six helicopters will drop 550 tons of poison on this island in the Indian Ocean: Why a project is spending $10 million on the exercise
Marion Island faces a massive mouse eradication effort using helicopters and poison. This project aims to protect native seabirds from the invasive rodent population. Helicopters will distribute 550 tons of rodenticide across the island's terrain. An aerial test is planned for April and May 2027 to evaluate the strategy. The eradication is essential for preserving the island's unique biodiversity.
Scientists use AI to decode sperm whale communication, discovering a possible phonetic alphabet and revealing that Mediterranean sperm whales have different dialects by region
In a groundbreaking study, scientists harnessed the power of artificial intelligence to decode the intricate communication system of sperm whales. Through their research, they discovered a phonetic alphabet and combinations of clicks that resemble words, revealing a unique regional dialect among sperm whales in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. This revelation transforms our understanding of non-human communication and highlights the importance of these vocalizations for conservation efforts.
Scientists create smartwatch-like plant wearables that let farmers monitor crops in real time, detecting drought, disease and nutrient problems days before plants show visible signs of stress
British farmers are on the verge of integrating innovative plant wearables to enhance crop monitoring. These tiny sensors affixed to leaves and stems can detect distress signals in plants days before visible symptoms appear. Powered by moisture evaporation, the devices continuously operate, distinguishing between water and salinity stress while tracking growth alterations. A network of these wearables could yield unparalleled insight into field conditions from a plant's perspective.
Scientists find nanoplastics in Antarctic soil for the first time, including tyre-wear particles, raising concerns that tiny plastic pollution can travel through the atmosphere to Earth's most remote places
In a groundbreaking study, scientists have identified nanoplastics in the pristine soils of Antarctica for the very first time. These microscopic plastic particles journey through the atmosphere, reaching even the most isolated regions. Analysis of soil samples revealed contamination from tyre wear and everyday plastic products. It suggests that both local human activities and far-reaching atmospheric movements contribute to this alarming trend, underscoring the widespread impact of plastic pollution worldwide.
Scientists have filmed a rare 125-million-year-old goblin shark alive in its natural deep-sea habitat for the first time, revealing a new depth record and a wider Pacific range
For the very first time, scientists have captured live footage of goblin sharks in their deep-sea environment, revealing new insights into the species. This remarkable finding extends their known depth by almost 700 meters. Observations from two separate instances identified these elusive sharks in previously unknown Pacific Ocean habitats, complemented by archived footage from 2019 that documented an unrecognized encounter. This groundbreaking research broadens the goblin shark's recognized range significantly.
A 2,500-year-old warrior prince tomb found in Italy had a chariot, helmet and weapons still inside
Archaeologists in Italy have unearthed a 2,500-year-old tomb of a pre-Roman warrior prince. This royal burial was found in Sirolo and belonged to the ancient Piceni civilization. The warrior prince was buried with a two-wheeled chariot and weapons. Nearby, a woman's burial contained textiles and ancient metal pins. This discovery sheds new light on the Piceni elite and their burial practices.
Lake Powell and Lake Mead are both running dangerously low, and scientists now say one radical idea could help: drain most of Lake Powell and store the water in Lake Mead instead
A Colorado River expert suggests moving water from Lake Powell to Lake Mead. This proposal addresses ongoing drought conditions impacting western United States water supplies. Lake Powell's dam infrastructure limits usable water storage, while Lake Mead offers greater capacity. The plan involves gradual water transfer and potential exposure of Glen Canyon. This strategy aims for long-term water management solutions for millions.
Polar Forcing Packs Bigger Punch: Poles drive triple warming; models must map where heat hits
Recent studies reveal that the geographical location of warming is just as crucial as its intensity. Polar regions cause a significantly greater response in global temperatures compared to tropical areas, which have a milder impact. This difference emphasizes the importance of regional feedback mechanisms in amplifying climate change effects. For improved climate predictions, future models must take into account the location of warming influences.
