Science Alert

Subscribe to Science Alert feed 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 12 min ago

Scientists drilled 1.3 km beneath the Atlantic and found superheated water that may fuel one of Earth’s strangest sunless ecosystems

16/07/2026
Scientists found superheated water deep beneath the ocean floor. This water's chemical makeup matches the Lost City's vent fluids. The discovery suggests a hidden source of hot, hydrogen-rich water. This helps understand life surviving without sunlight and potential extraterrestrial life. Further research will clarify underground fluid interactions and energy transport.

Nasa reveals why the Black Sea changes from dark blue to Turquoise each year

16/07/2026
Nasa's PACE satellite captured striking images of the Black Sea's seasonal transformation. Tiny marine organisms called coccolithophores cause the water to appear milky blue. These blooms are visible from space and spread across vast ocean areas. Astronauts also photographed similar turquoise water spreading through the Bosphorus strait. These blooms help scientists monitor ocean ecosystems and carbon movement.

Scientists showed horses silent videos of wolves and found their hearts raced even when...

16/07/2026
Horses exhibit an intriguing phenomenon when identifying predators on video screens—they experience heightened heart rates indicative of internal stress while showing no outward signs of fear. Notably, male horses and dominant herd members trigger stronger responses, challenging traditional views of prey animals' panic-driven behavior. Grasping this psychological disconnect is essential for improving horse welfare and ensuring rider safety.

Scientists grew the same invasive plants in Europe and North America and found 91% showed this strange behavior in new environment

16/07/2026
Scientists found invasive plants grew 91% more productive in new habitats. This increased productivity was only observed outside their native ranges. Researchers believe plants escape natural enemies like herbivores and soil biota. These invasive species are a major driver of global biodiversity loss. The study compared five invasive plant species in Germany and the United States.

Scientists are turning air filters into DNA collectors that can detect traces of viruses

16/07/2026
Innovative scientists have developed a method to analyze airborne environmental DNA using standard air filters. This groundbreaking technology can detect local wildlife and monitor viruses without the need for direct observation. Existing national air pollution monitoring stations are already harnessing this essential biological data. Utilizing advanced sequencing techniques, researchers can map entire ecosystems and explore genetic variations within species.

MIT built a 300-gram robot that flies through the sky, dives underwater and takes off again, just like a diving bird

16/07/2026
The Flapping-wing Aerial-aquatic Vehicle (FAAV), developed by engineers at MIT and EPFL, is a 300-gram robot designed to mimic the diving birds like the Atlantic puffin. It is the first machine capable of completing the full cycle of swimming, diving, and launching back into the sky using its wings rather than separate propellers or legs.

Pluto's moon Charon may have once spun once every 14 hours, and its ancient mountains still record how it slowed down

16/07/2026
New research suggests Charon's oldest landscapes preserve evidence of early despinning. Tectonic features in Oz Terra indicate a period of faster rotation for the moon. These structures resemble landforms created by crustal compression, which is consistent with despinning models. Scientists estimate Charon's initial rotation period was approximately fourteen hours. This ancient process likely occurred before other major geological events reshaped its surface.

'Hello from ISS': Indian-origin Nasa astronaut Anil Menon shares first space message

16/07/2026
Nasa astronaut Anil Menon shared his first orbital message from the International Space Station. He expressed deep gratitude for the people who supported his journey to space. Menon also conveyed his appreciation for the beauty of Earth seen from orbit. His eight-month mission includes scientific investigations and station maintenance. This assignment marks a significant milestone in his career as a former flight surgeon.

Guam kingfishers vanished from their home after invasive snakes devastated their species: Now scientists are restoring them with four new chicks

16/07/2026
The Guam Kingfisher, known as 'sihek', is extinct in the wild due to invasive brown tree snakes. These birds played vital roles in the island's ecosystem, controlling insect populations. Their disappearance has led to increased spider numbers and thinner forests on Guam. Conservation centers now house the remaining 140 birds, aiming for eventual reintroduction. Efforts focus on breeding pairs to save this species from complete extinction.

An ancient sea once divided North America from north to south; 70-million-year-old creatures from its waters still shimmer like gemstones

16/07/2026
Millions of years ago, South Dakota was covered by a vast inland sea. This ancient seaway supported diverse marine life, including ammonites and marine reptiles. Today, fossils from this period are displayed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. These ancient shells still shine due to their mother-of-pearl composition. Discoveries continue to reveal insights into prehistoric marine ecosystems and Earth's history.

Emperor penguins survive Antarctica's brutal winters by huddling together, but a maths study reveals the hidden system behind their remarkable teamwork

16/07/2026
Emperor penguins in Antarctica form huddles to survive extreme cold temperatures. Each penguin moves to reduce its own heat loss, which benefits the entire group. This movement ensures every bird eventually experiences the warmer center of the huddle. The study modeled this behaviour, showing it explains even warmth distribution. Researchers found this natural movement is key to their survival strategy.

Scientists have finally explained why killer whales struggle to hear blue whales, and the answer may have helped the giants survive for millions of years

16/07/2026
Some baleen whales use low-frequency songs to avoid killer whales. This acoustic crypsis helps flight species escape predators in open oceans. Blue whales, known for loud calls, sing at frequencies predators cannot hear. Natural selection favored these low-frequency calls over millions of years. This discovery reveals how predation shaped whale communication systems.

Pages