homehome Home chatchat Notifications


Climate change denial might soon be abhorred as slavery, says David Attenborough

"I am sorry that there are people who are in power … notably, of course, [in] the United States but also in Australia [who are climate change deniers], which is extraordinary because Australia is already facing having to deal with some of the most extreme manifestations of climate change."

Shocking images of a python devouring a crocodile whole in Australia

Nature is lit!

Sri Lanka has eliminated measles

Sri Lanka is the fourth country in the WHO South-East Asia Region, after Bhutan, Maldives, and Timor-Leste, to eliminate measles and control rubella.

French scientists develop new class of promising antibiotics (so far, only in mice)

It's still early days, but the results are exciting.

France to stop reimbursing homeopathic treatments

The reason is pretty simple: there's no evidence that it works.

Snowball the cockatoo invents his own groovy dancing, showing that it is not a unique human construct

An adorable cockatoo that stole our hearts is revealing new insights about the origin and role of dancing.

Satellite imaging used to spot the largest seaweed bloom in the world

The record-breaking belt of brown algae stretches from West Africa to the Gulf of Mexico.

HPV vaccine will also be administered to boys in the UK, preventing thousands of cancers

It's an important step towards eliminating some types of cancer.

The Earth has room for a trillion more trees -- which might be our best bet against climate change

A new study shows that there's still plenty of room for almost a billion hectares of forest.

X-Rays and lensing tricks help researchers spot black hole spin

A black hole was spinning as fast as is theoretically possible.

Antarctic instability could raise sea levels by half a meter in 150 years

Currently, sea levels are 20 cm (almost 8 inches) above pre-industrial levels.

Ancient life is waking up from melting ice and permafrost

The permafrost is like a graveyard. Some of that graveyard is waking up.

Tamu Massif is an intriguing new type of hybrid volcano

Tamu Massif is forcing geologists to re-think a classic volcano formation theory.

Space station mold can survive 200 times more radiation than you or me

Researchers plan to employ them as producers of food, antibiotics, other materials for astronauts on deep space missions.

Ignoring distractions or temptation is harder when you're tired, stressed, or trying to remember something

The best course of action in such situations is simply to avoid places that could make you 'sin'.

Scientists modify plant mitochondrial DNA for the first time

This is huge news for the biotech industry.

Grazing animals drove the domestication of grain crops

This might solve a long-standing puzzle about plant domestication.

Deforestation in Brazil continues to soar as current administration shows lack of interest

The all-too-familiar story about the rainforest versus economic development.

'Smart' glass recognizes numbers without the need for sensors or even electrical power

Scientists have devised a novel system that can recognize visual objects by bending light.

NASA wants the future of spaceflight to be commercial -- including the ISS

Could this be the key to ensuring that the ISS lives long and prosper?

They live in the octillions, in scorching heat beneath the ground -- and we're just finding out about them

There's a stunning biodiversity underground -- and we're just now learning about it.

The biggest science meeting you've (probably) never heard about just kicked off in Germany

Here's why this matters.

What makes a good excuse: a philosopher's take

We all make excuses, so might as well learn how to do them properly.

Scientists explore the origin of metabolism to reveal secrets of primordial life

To become successful, life had to find a way to turn food from the environment into energy.

NASA plans to send a helicopter drone to Titan in search of life

Titan is of interest because it is the only body in our solar system (besides Earth) that has liquid rivers, lakes, and seas on its surface.

8 bird species have disappeared this decade or are on the brink of extinction

This includes the Spix’s Macaw, the lovely birds which inspired the main characters in Rio.

Toddlers prefer high-status winners -- but avoid bullies who win by force

This may be a core property of human nature.

Contrails' warming effect on the climate could triple by 2050

Contrail cirrus clouds have warmed the atmosphere more than all the carbon dioxide from planes since the dawn of aviation and will do so even more in the future.

How the world’s most famous codebreaker unlocked the secrets of nature’s beauty

The beauty that surrounds us has order – and one of the world’s best codebreakers was the key to unlocking it.

Some extinct species of crocs were plant-eaters, fossil study reveals

Between three and six such species have existed in the past.

AI draws amazing caricatures from photos

Is there any job that an AI can't do?

Researchers are one step closer to saving the northern white rhino from complete extinction

With only two females surviving in captivity, the species is functionally extinct.

Climate change poised to expose millions to malaria, new study reports

Uh-oh.

Neanderthals used resin as glue to craft complex stone tools

Sticky!

Ancient Neanderthal genomes reveal surprising twist in their settling of Europe

DNA analysis reveals fresh details about how Neanderthals moved across Europe and Asia.

Testosterone protects against inflammation

A new use found for testosterone.

Mars may have been habitable more than 4.4 billion years ago

The story of life on Mars -- if there ever was such a thing -- may have started much earlier than thought.

Russian scientists find the first ever giant bird fossils in Europe

A giant bird that used to weigh half a tonne up until 2 million years ago was found by scientists in Crimea.

Immigrants in the classroom bring better results for all schoolchildren

The new study slams the idea that immigrants in the classroom use up resources.

Chinese researchers breed smarter monkeys after inserting human brain gene

The international scientific community is shocked by yet another ethical scandal sparked by Chinese researchers.

The most energetic light recorded thus far hits Tibetan plateau

Gamma-ray particles trillions of times more energetic than regular light hit the Tibetan plateau.

Ancient Celts had good taste in their drink, new study shows

The wine wasn't restricted to the higher echelons of Celtic society -- the craftsmen also enjoyed a glass from time to time.

Gender inequality emerged during the Neolithic, new study finds

The trend became much clearer after the Neolithic, but the signs were there.

Climate change and ozone layer holes form feedback loop, reports international panel

"Greenhouse gas emissions trap more heat in the lower atmosphere which leads to a cooling of the upper atmosphere. Those colder temperatures in the upper atmosphere are slowing the recovery of the ozone layer."

SpaceX launches 24 satellites (along with 152 dead people)

It was the most difficult launch the company has ever undertaken.

Methane Discovered on Mars may Originate from Microbial Life or Icy Faults

Where is the gas coming from, and what is producing it?

Our emissions could melt all the ice in Greenland by the year 3000 -- and raise sea levels by 24 ft

Good thing we didn't call it Iceland, right?!

Largest freshwater aquifer of its kind found off the U.S. Northeast coast

The aquifer stretches at least from the shore of Massachusetts to New Jersey.

High school students who study music perform better at math, English, and science

The skill you learn practicing music transfer more broadly to other fields of study.

'Pre-bunking' is an effective tool against fake news, browser game shows

This is Good News!