Scientists are gearing up to inject thousands of tons of carbon dioxide into the Amazon rainforest in a groundbreaking experiment addressing one of the most pressing questions in climate change. Will increased CO2 emissions stimulate tree growth and help absorb atmospheric carbon? Or is this optimistic outlook misguided?
AI-Induced Scary Stories: A Cautionary Tale
Always think twice before heeding advice, especially if it originates from an AI. This issue uncovers seven notable failures, including an AI that opted to deceive and hide its errors.
Procrastination: Beyond a Simple Delay
Using procrastination tactics to dodge your to-do list might indicate deeper issues at play. Psychologists suggest that stress could be the underlying cause, but there are effective methods to help reduce procrastination.
The New Space Race: A Contest for Cosmic Control
The universe has never truly been at peace. Now, nations are no longer pretending otherwise. Space is on its way to being recognized as a domain that demands active defense and competition.
Plus: Discoveries and Insights
Oral Microbiome: New studies bridge the gap between dentistry and medicine, confirming the essential link between oral health and overall well-being.
Fart Walk: Exploring the surprising benefits of a post-meal “fart walk,” which extend beyond mere comfort.
Q&A: Our experts tackle your burning questions: What’s the worst online action for the planet? Should you try an ice roller? What spans the world’s longest oil spill? Is my dog manipulating me for treats? Why do we empathize with villains in cinema? What is the “returnee effect”? Discover the most secretive locations where scientists work, and… much more!
Issue No. 431: Released on Thursday, March 26, 2026
Don’t forget that BBC Science Focus is available across all major digital platforms. Find the magazine on Android, Kindle Fire and Kindle e-readers, and on the iOS app for iPad and iPhone.
Holly is a dedicated staff writer for BBC Science Focus, where she expertly manages the well-loved Q&A section. She boasts an MSc (Special Award) in Earth Sciences, specifically in Space and Climate Physics from UCL, with a keen focus on Astronomy and Earth Sciences. Prior to her role at Our Media, Holly served as a geo-environmental consultant and engineer, passionately pursuing her interest in exoplanets during her free time, while also providing essential insights on ground risk and remediation across northern England.
With nine years of experience as a regional editor for a well-regarded theater website, Holly excels in curating and developing engaging content for the digital landscape. In addition to her writing, she is a talented artist and illustrator, contributing regularly to the craft website Gathered. Her diverse portfolio includes collaborations with esteemed brands like RSPB, English Heritage, Disney, Pilot, and Brother, as well as leading publications such as BBC Good Food Magazine, Home Style Magazine, and Papercraft Inspiration Magazine.
Apart from her professional endeavors, Holly has a passion for photography and a keen interest in antiques, showcasing her multifaceted skills and interests.
Researchers have discovered a new species of the Tassiere genus, a group of aggressive and mainly flightless ducks, in the icy waters off the southern coast of Chile.
Beak color patterns in adult specimens: Chiloe steamer duck (A) and Magellanic steamer duck (B). Image credit: Bernabé López-Lanús and Mariano Costa.
Known as Tassiere, this small genus of waterfowl exhibits intriguing ecological traits, including most species being flightless. Their unique name comes from their distinctive movement over water, where they flap their wings like paddles.
These ducks are notably territorial, aggressively defending their habitats from rival species.
According to Argentine ornithologists Bernabe López-Lanús and Mariano Costa, “Natural history of Tassiere is often marked by a mix of certainties and errors throughout time.”
Interestingly, some Tassiere species may include both flying and non-flying individuals within a single population, blurring traditional species classifications.
The researchers employed bioacoustics to analyze the vocalizations of all known steamer duck species. They employed a combination of field recordings, archived databases, and spectrogram analysis.
While some calls, like the quick “click” sounds used for marking territory, are similar across species, others are distinctive. The “raspy growl” contact call revealed a consistent, species-specific acoustic pattern.
“This call is typically produced alone or precedes territorial vocalizations,” the researchers noted.
Male specimens of the newly identified species produced calls with a unique “dome-shaped” frequency profile, which contrasts with the “scalene triangle” pattern seen in closely related species like the Magellan Steam Duck (Taquiere Puteneres).
This new bird, named the Chiloe Steamer Duck (Tassiere Kettle), is endemic to the Chiloe and Aysén regions of Chile. Its range extends around 40 degrees south latitude, from northern Valdivia and the Chiloe regions to the Taitao Peninsula.
While this species frequents protected coastal environments, rich in macroalgae and inland waterways, the Magellanic steamer duck thrives in more exposed, wave-battered coastlines further south.
“Reproductive adults compete for optimal foraging sites, often found within underwater forests of Macrocystis pyrifera (commonly known as kelp),” the researchers stated.
This habitat boasts dense refugia rich in diverse invertebrates, such as amphipods, gastropods, polychaetes, and juvenile fish, which these birds typically access by diving.
This discovery emphasizes the importance of sound in modern taxonomy and reveals hidden biodiversity even within well-studied species, particularly in remote and complex environments.
“Cases like the discovery of Tassiere Kettle demonstrate that bioacoustics is essential for understanding the taxonomy of challenging species, even when sample sizes are limited,” the authors concluded.
Bernabe López-Lanús and Mariano Costa. 2026. A new species of steamer duck (Anseriidae: Tassiere) from the Chiloé region of Chile, confirmed as a distinct taxonomic group from Taquiere Puteneres. Audio Lunis 5:2-65
A clone of the beloved craggy Yoshino cherry tree, famously cut down in Washington, D.C. two years ago, has bloomed for the first time this spring, marking what federal officials call a “crowning achievement” in horticulture.
The National Arboretum reported that the plant material used to propagate these Yoshino cherry tree clones was collected during the summer of 2024. This iconic tree was one of the many lining the shores of the Tidal Basin, situated between the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.
Stumpy clones bloom for the first time this spring. National Arboretum
The new clone is thriving, having established its own root system and been significantly nurtured. Currently, it remains in a designated research area until the National Park Service plans to replant it, which could be as early as next spring.
Richard Olsen, director of the arboretum, expressed hope: “We anticipate that the legacy and spirit of these iconic cherries will inspire future generations of cherry blossom enthusiasts worldwide and strengthen our cultural connections for years to come.”
A cherry tree stump in Washington’s Tidal Basin, set to be cut in 2024. Mandel Gunn/AFP via Getty Images
Stumpy gained fame while standing at the Tidal Basin near the National Mall. It became a social media sensation in 2020 when a Reddit post humorously compared its condition to “the user’s love life,” yet conveyed a heartfelt appreciation.
This distinctive tree, known for its hollow trunk, was among 158 trees removed in 2024 as part of an initiative to reinforce the sea wall bordering the National Mall.
The night prior to its removal, a tourist relayed to NBC News that Stumpy embodied the characteristics of an “ugly duckling,” capturing attention for its uniqueness.
“It stands independently and truly stands out,” she remarked.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg departs from Los Angeles court amid major social media addiction trial
Credit: John Putman/Anadolu via Getty Images
A California jury has made a groundbreaking ruling, finding social media giants Meta and YouTube liable for negligence impacting a young woman’s mental health. This significant verdict marks a pivotal moment that could reshape the future of social media regulation.
The jury mandated that the companies pay $3 million in damages, compensating for economic losses and emotional distress suffered by the plaintiff. However, the jury has yet to determine punitive damages, which would impose additional penalties on the companies due to their actions.
The young woman at the heart of this trial, referred to as KGM in court documents, successfully argued that the addictive features of social media resulted in her severe anxiety and depression. Although TikTok (owned by ByteDance) and Snapchat (owned by Snap) were initially involved in the lawsuit, they reached a settlement prior to the trial’s commencement.
This case is not isolated; thousands of similar lawsuits are pending against social media firms across the United States. Many of these cases allege that social media products are addictive and harmful. Notably, a related case in New Mexico concluded on March 24, resulting in a verdict against Meta for failing to protect children from exploitation. That case resulted in the company being ordered to pay $375 million in damages.
The critical question that arises now is whether such legal actions will lead to meaningful changes in social media products deemed harmful. In the U.S., free speech laws pose challenges in advocating for reforms on social media platforms. A significant statute, Section 230, shields companies from liability for user-generated content. However, this landmark decision could signal a turning point, as the prevailing laws often hinder successful litigation against tech giants.
The New Mexico case has now advanced to a second phase, where a judge will adjudicate on the necessary changes Meta should implement to its social media platforms moving forward.
A spokesperson for Meta expressed disagreement with the ruling and announced plans to appeal both cases. Similarly, Jose Castañeda, a spokesperson for Google, which owns YouTube, indicated that the company intends to challenge California’s decision. With several more cases on the docket, if this trend continues, profound changes in the social media landscape may soon emerge.
Thanks to a groundbreaking study from Yale University, we may need to rethink the definition of a “shark.”
Evolutionary biologists conducted a DNA comparison among various shark species and their close relatives—including rays, skates, and chimeras—to explore their evolutionary links.
Surprisingly, they found that sharks are not necessarily more closely related to one another than they are to these similar species, challenging the traditional classification of sharks as a single biological group.
According to Chase Brownstein, a doctoral candidate at Yale, “Our study casts doubt on the idea that all sharks, apart from rays and skates, share a common ancestor.” BBC Science Focus.
This research can be interpreted in two ways: either sharks do not form a natural group unless they share an exclusive common ancestor, or rays and skates may simply be categorized as another type of shark.
In total, researchers analyzed the genetic data of 48 different species, studying their complete genomes.
“The genome contains all the genetic information found in our cells,” explained Thomas Near, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Yale. BBC Science Focus.
“By examining entire genomes instead of just a handful of genes, we can gain deeper insights into the relationships between organisms.”
Professor Brownstein elaborated on their approach, stating they explored “how various methods of sampling DNA sequences across the genome impact our understanding of relationships among sharks, rays, and other cartilaginous fishes.”
Evidence from their study was inconclusive. While examining specific DNA segments called exons, they found indications that all sharks might belong to the same family.
Conversely, other analyses suggest that certain shark species, like frilled and horse sharks, could be more closely related to rays than to other sharks.
This implies that these unusual sharks may be distant relatives, separated from the broader shark lineage much earlier in their evolutionary history.
Scientists previously believed that all sharks, excluding other species like rays, shared a common ancestor. The study suggests that some shark species may be genetically unique and distantly related to other sharks on the evolutionary tree. – Credit: Chase Brownstein
If sharks are indeed a distinct group, biologists can utilize this genetic data to estimate when sharks first emerged in evolutionary history.
“We estimate that this group originated roughly 300 million years ago,” stated Brownstein. “ThisTimestamp corresponds to the last time we shared a common ancestor with modern amphibians, or perhaps slightly later.”
The scientists noted that sharks, skates, and rays represent one of the most ancient lineages of vertebrates—animals characterized by stiff, segmented backbones.
“They are the earliest jawed vertebrates to diverge from their ancestors, providing crucial insights into the first animals to evolve jaws and bony skeletons,” Brownstein continued. “Our aim is to bring attention to this often overlooked segment of the vertebrate tree.”
Ancient Evidence of Dog Care in Punarbashi, Turkey, dating back 15,800 years.
Credit: Kathryn Killackey
A groundbreaking discovery at a 15,800-year-old archaeological site in Turkey has revealed the oldest known evidence of dog domestication. Genetic studies indicate that our canine companions were already widespread across Europe 14,300 years ago, during a time when humans were primarily hunter-gatherers and agriculture had yet to develop.
Determining the precise timeline for dog domestication is complex, especially due to the genetic similarities shared between Canis lupus familiaris (domestic dogs) and Canis lupus (gray wolves). Initially, it was believed that the earliest dogs dated back to around 10,900 years ago. However, earlier fossils resembling dogs have been found, as far back as 33,000 years ago, indicating the presence of ancestral dogs that were not fully domesticated.
To further examine the history of dogs, Dr. Lachie Scarsbrook and his team at the University of Oxford analyzed genetic material from various early dog-like remains unearthed at different archaeological sites in Europe.
The oldest confirmed dog remains were discovered at the Pinarbaş Ruins in central Anatolia, Turkey, dating back to the Upper Paleolithic period (15,800 years ago). These findings are currently the earliest direct evidence of dog existence, with more substantial evidence emerging around 5,000 years ago.
“By at least 15,800 years ago, dogs possessed physical and genetic traits akin to modern breeds,” noted Scarsbrook.
Researchers genetically verified that remains from Gough’s Cave, located in Somerset, England, belonged to a dog that lived approximately 14,300 years ago. The genetic cohesiveness between these two ancient dogs suggests a shared ancestor, a phenomenon that sparked intrigue among researchers, given the geographical distance between the cultures associated with these dogs.
The genome analysis indicates that these two Paleolithic dogs originated from a population that traversed across Europe between 18,500 and 14,000 years ago.
Despite their impressive range, Scarsbrook notes, “It’s unlikely dogs traveled across Europe independently.” Instead, the researchers propose that the Epigravettian culture played a role in their introduction, as evidenced by past archaeological findings indicating ancient human interactions.
14,300-Year-Old Dog Jawbone from Gough’s Cave, England
Credit: Natural History Museum
During significant periods, these ancient peoples migrated from the Italian peninsula into Western Europe and southeast into Turkey, fostering interactions that likely resulted in cultural and technological exchanges.
Dogs provided hunter-gatherers with enhanced hunting capabilities, protection from predators, and warmth during chilly nights, according to Scarsbrook.
Research at Gough’s Cave and the Pinarbaş ruins indicates the nature of ancient human-dog relationships. “These findings highlight the foundations of modern human-dog interactions,” states team member William Marsh from the Natural History Museum in London.
Isotope analysis has revealed that the Pinarbash community not only fed their dogs fish but also consumed it, indicating a profound bond between humans and canines. Dogs were buried similarly to humans, pointing to symbolic treatment of these animals about 15,000 years ago, notes Marsh.
At Gough’s Cave, the mixed diet of humans and dogs suggests a connection rich in symbolism. Instead of typical burial practices, some cultures there appear to have practiced ritual cannibalism, with evidence of bones showing mutilation marks and carvings.
Interestingly, similar markings were discovered on a dog jawbone from Gough’s Cave, suggesting parallels in treatment between humans and dogs, positing emotional ties as well, per Marsh. “They undoubtedly felt bonded to these animals, but the complexity of these expressions remains hard to interpret,” he reflects.
Scarsbrook hypothesizes that the domestication of dogs began during the Last Glacial Maximum, roughly 26,000 to 20,000 years ago. “Circumstances were dire for both wolves and humans in northern Eurasia during this period, pushing them southward and compelling interactions that may have initiated a unique companionship,” he states.
Exploring the Origins of Humanity Through Prehistoric Times in South-West England
Join a gentle walking tour that delves deep into the Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age, allowing you to immerse yourself in the rich heritage of early humans.
The glymphatic system facilitates the removal of brain waste products.
Klaus Renau/Science Photo Library
Researchers have discovered a groundbreaking drug that enhances the brain’s waste disposal system, effectively eliminating proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease. A sedative commonly used in medical settings, when paired with a blood pressure stabilizer, shows promise in safely and efficiently clearing these toxic proteins, potentially delaying the disease’s onset by up to seven years.
“This is a significant advancement,” states Siju Gu from Harvard University, who was not part of the study. “While it may benefit individuals with neurodegenerative disorders, it could also enhance brain function in healthy individuals.”
The brain utilizes the glymphatic system, a vital network of channels surrounding blood vessels, to eliminate metabolic waste, directing it into the lymphatic system for blood disposal. This system is most active during deep sleep stages, wherein slow brain waves facilitate waste removal. However, its efficiency declines with age, especially in Alzheimer’s disease.
To assess dexmedetomidine’s effects in humans, Paul Dagham and his team at Applied Cognition, a pharmaceutical firm in California, enlisted 19 adults averaging 60 years of age. After a night of sleep deprivation in a controlled environment, blood samples were collected for baseline measurements.
Participants then received a four-hour infusion of dexmedetomidine alongside midodrine, a medication that mitigates low blood pressure, a common side effect of the sedative. Following a nap, additional blood samples were collected.
This experiment was replicated a few weeks later, with participants receiving a placebo and saline instead. The resulting analysis revealed that the combination of dexmedetomidine and midodrine, dubbed ACX-02, effectively removed amyloid and tau proteins—two proteins predisposed to misfolding and aggregation—better than the placebo treatment.
Dagham estimates that if ACX-02’s effects persist for several years, it could defer Alzheimer’s disease onset or progression by about seven years based on typical misfolded amyloid levels in those at risk. “This could significantly impact individuals at risk,” a research team member noted, including Jeff Iliff from the University of Washington.
Further analysis indicates that ACX-02 enhances the number of slow brain waves during sleep transitions and increases cerebral fluid flow, accelerating waste removal. Moreover, blood vessels appear to dilate and contract more effectively, enabling better fluid propulsion through the glymphatic system.
Though antibody therapies targeting amyloid plaques, such as lecanemab and donanemab, have received approval in the US and UK, their efficacy on symptoms remains minimal and they may cause hemorrhaging and swelling in the brain. “Innovative treatments are urgently needed. We know that the antibodies for Alzheimer’s are ineffective and can induce serious side effects,” asserts Natalie Beth Corner from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Bonn.
No severe side effects were noted in Iliff’s trial. By enhancing the glymphatic system, there is less activation of the brain’s immune cells compared to antibody treatments, reducing risk factors associated with side effects, Dagham explains. ACX-02 additionally targets both amyloid beta and tau, which could augment its cognitive benefits. The research team plans to explore this further in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Gu recognized that prior attempts to eliminate misfolded amyloid beta and tau in Alzheimer’s patients yielded limited success. However, he emphasized that if this novel approach proves safe and effective, it could see widespread application. “It may also benefit individuals with other neurodegenerative disorders linked to protein misfolding, such as Parkinson’s disease,” he states. Iliff adds that developing dexmedetomidine tablets could help treat diminished alertness due to sleep deprivation.
Cloning involves creating genetically identical copies, yet extensive research over the last 20 years reveals unexpected complexities. Clones often accumulate additional mutations, and if the cloning process is repeated, these mutations can reach lethal levels. This discovery presents important implications for cloning in agriculture, conservation, and even medical applications involving humans.
The core issue lies in the numerous mutations within clones. Adult somatic cells may accumulate more mutations than gametes (egg or sperm cells). Researchers such as Teruhiko Wakayama from the University of Yamanashi in Japan suggest that the cloning process may also contribute to these mutations. “While we once believed clones were identical to their originals, the accumulated mutations present significant challenges,” Wakayama states. “Our goal is to confirm that these mutations do not lead to complications.”
Historically, cloning mammals was deemed implausible because cellular differentiation adds various chemical tags that regulate gene activity. The successful birth of Dolly the sheep in July 1996 demonstrated that transferring the nucleus of an adult cell into an empty egg could effectively reprogram the genome, enabling cell growth. Shortly after, in October 1997, Wakayama created the first cloned mouse, Kumulina.
To evaluate the efficacy of his team’s cloning technique, Wakayama initiated cloning experiments in 2005. “Similar to how a reproduced painting loses detail, we aimed to assess the quality of the clones against the original,” he explains.
By 2013, Wakayama’s team had successfully generated over 500 mice from a single donor across 25 cloning generations, claiming, “Each cloned mouse exhibited no physical anomalies and maintained normal lifespan and health.” However, this level of success has not been replicated in other species. Cloned dogs continue to face health complications, and no primate has been cloned using adult cells to date. Initially, Wakayama believed repeated cloning in mice could extend indefinitely, yet by the 58th generation, not one clone survived.
To uncover the reasons behind this decline, the research team sequenced the genomes of ten different mice from various generations. They found an average of over 70 mutations per clonal generation, three times higher than in the naturally bred control group. Notably, after the 27th generation, significant mutations began to accumulate, even leading to the loss of the entire X chromosome.
This issue may stem from evolutionary mechanisms that protect gametes from mutations while allowing adult somatic cells to accrue more mutations. Recent studies suggest mutations accumulate eight times faster in blood cells compared to sperm. Thus, if the original cloned adult cell harbored numerous mutations, so too would the resulting clones.
Wakayama also posits that the nuclear transfer process may induce additional mutations. “It’s plausible that physical shock during nuclear transfer can damage the DNA,” he remarks. “If we can devise gentler nuclear transfer techniques, we might lower the mutation rate in cloned embryos—but we’re still seeking solutions.”
Shukrat Mitalipov, a professor at Oregon Health and Science University, remains skeptical. “The mutation rate evident in cloned subjects probably reflects the genomic nature of donor cells rather than being an inherent consequence of nuclear transfer,” he states.
While human cloning is prohibited in many regions, researchers like Mitalipov are exploring nuclear transfer’s potential for generating tissues and organs that are compatible for treatments, as well as for creating sperm and egg cells for infertility therapies. Wakayama’s findings highlight the necessity of thorough donor cell screening to prevent deleterious mutations. “Evaluating donor cell populations for harmful mutations is vital; if needed, gene editing could correct identified issues.”
Nevertheless, if the cloning process itself is responsible for inducing mutations, it presents additional challenges. Nonetheless, these findings do not signal that cloning techniques entail insurmountable risks. The mutation rate per generation remains relatively low, and safety screenings can be conducted post-cloning. However, they underscore the complexities inherent in cloning technology.
Evidence of Neanderthal hunting: Elephant bones from Lehringen, Germany
Credit: VOLKER_MINKUS
In the back room of the modern Schöningen Research Museum in Germany, old cardboard boxes house a fascinating discovery: remnants from Rehringen, a village 150 kilometers away.
In 1948, 125,000-year-old Paleoloxodon antique bones were excavated from an ancient lake’s bed in Rehringen. While such bones are not uncommon, this particular set contained a remarkable 2.3-meter-long spear embedded between the ribs.
This yew spear is recognized as the oldest complete spear ever discovered. The Rehringen Spear stands as the only known spear found alongside the skeleton of an extinct species. Since Neanderthals were the only humans in Europe at the time, this spear provides critical evidence that they hunted large game rather than scavenged. This was a groundbreaking discovery.
However, challenges arose. The excavation led by Alexander Rosenbrock, a local school principal and amateur archaeologist, revealed that around half of the bones were removed before he, his daughter, and volunteers arrived at the scene.
By the time Rosenbrock reached the site, some bones had already been stolen, and without a camera, he couldn’t sketch the crucial positions of the bones and spear. A lengthy legal battle ensued over the discovery, ultimately allowing Rosenbrock to keep the findings in Verden, which contributed to their obscurity. Sadly, the teacher passed away in the 1950s without publishing his findings.
Over the next 75 years, skepticism around Rehringen emerged. Were the spear and bones truly found together, or was it mere coincidence? Researchers accessed the findings twice but concluded that the elephant bones lacked evidence of butchery.
Excavation at Rehringen, 1948
Credit: Archives of the Cultural Heritage Office of Lower Saxony
Fast forward to 2025. Ivo Verheijen, the bone expert at Schöningen, began investigating the Rehringen finds.
“We were informed of just a few boxes,” Verheijen noted. “But upon reaching the museum, we discovered truckloads stored in the attic.”
The Schöningen Center, located 300 meters from an active excavation site since the mid-1990s, previously uncovered 10 spears around 300,000 years old from a nearby quarry. The Rehringen spear, alongside the Clacton spear, represents one of the oldest weapons from the Paleolithic era.
In 2017, the Schöningen team made headlines by discovering a complete ancient elephant, granting Verheijen substantial experience with these bones before switching his focus to Rehringen.
As he examined the artifacts, Verheijen removed an old box containing a freshwater shell from Rehringen and metadata from the excavation. He revealed that the label was a 50-million-mark banknote from the post-World War I inflation era, pointing out, “It used to be printed on one side only.”
This project resembled a cold-case investigation for Verheijen and his team. Fortunately, the box contained not just elephant bones but also flint tools and documentation of Rosenbrock’s work, preserved by his daughter Waltraut Deibel-Rosenbrock after his passing.
It didn’t take long for Verheijen to determine that the Lehringen elephant was slaughtered. “I quickly spotted distinct cut marks,” he stated. “It’s surprising that they weren’t previously noted.”
Cut marks found on an elephant rib
Credit: Ivo Verheijen
The elephant’s remains belonged to a young male, over 3.5 meters tall at the shoulder. Verheijen noted that solitary males are often easier targets for hunters.
Examination revealed that not only had the animal been butchered externally, but internal organs had also been removed, indicating that it was freshly dead when Neanderthals approached. It is highly probable that it died with the spear embedded in its side, suggesting a direct correlation between the bones and the weapon found on-site.
Early humans utilized simple flint tools to extract as much as possible from the carcass, leaving behind bones for scavengers. Interestingly, not every bone displayed signs of butchery—bear, beaver, and aurochs remains were also present, indicating that Neanderthals regularly hunted near the lake.
Verheijen suggested that modern elephants often head towards water when injured. Therefore, after being speared, the elephant likely made its way toward the lake, where it may have been pursued until it collapsed. One spear ultimately broke underneath it, which could explain some of the scene’s findings. The research team plans to further analyze the spear.
Even in its initial phases, the project has already painted a vivid picture of Neanderthal hunting behavior.
Verheijen aims to preserve Rehringen’s bones for exhibition, emphasizing, “This site is among the most significant Neanderthal locations in Germany. Despite being previously overlooked, we are dedicated to giving it the recognition it deserves.”
Explore the Discovery Tour: Archeology, Human Origins, and Paleontology
New Scientist provides insights into world-changing archaeological sites that have reshaped our understanding of species and early civilization. Join the exploration!
“Richard Dawkins brilliantly made us think in terms of genes”: Rereading “The Selfish Gene”
In 1976, Richard Dawkins published a groundbreaking book titled after the compelling concept of the selfish gene, which he conceived while teaching animal behavior to his doctoral supervisor. This metaphor became a worldwide bestseller and remains one of the most significant works on evolution.
Fifty years later, the selfish gene continues to resonate, revealing the power of genetic selfishness as a compelling meme—an idea Dawkins introduced in the book. This perspective allows readers to understand evolutionary processes more intuitively, helping to explain behaviors ranging from blood-sharing among vampire bats to the mimicry of bees by orchids.
When Charles Darwin formulated his theory of natural selection, he emphasized that individuals compete for resources, acting primarily in their own interests. However, this theory doesn’t always apply, particularly in the case of social insects like worker bees that sacrifice their reproduction for the queen’s benefit. Darwin addressed this by proposing that in these species, families function as single entities, reflecting a self-interested behavior in a broader sense.
By the mid-20th century, a renewed focus on the synthesis of evolutionary biology and genetics provided mathematical explanations for evolution through genetic variation. Influential biologists George Williams and W.D. Hamilton explained altruistic behaviors through genetic adaptations, demonstrating that worker ants contribute to their mother’s reproductive success as a means of ensuring the continuation of their genes.
Dawkins’s work brilliantly illustrated complex mathematical concepts in an accessible manner, moving beyond earlier notions that evolution was simply about species survival. His insights laid the groundwork for a more comprehensive understanding of biological processes and genetics.
Critics argue that Dawkins merely popularized existing theories; however, selfish gene played a crucial role as a touchstone for biological concepts that have influenced both scientists and the public. Some claim that his insights on gene function simplify the complexities of biology; genes work within an intricate system involving various cellular components.
One major concern is that the book promotes genetic determinism—the idea that our behaviors are entirely governed by our genes. We may encounter similar misconceptions with the oversimplifications presented by the Human Genome Project, suggesting there are genes responsible for everything from intelligence to disease susceptibility.
It is worth noting that while Dawkins emphasized genetic selfishness, he also acknowledged the critical roles of cooperation and symbiosis. Although the metaphor of selfishness remains powerful, it may overshadow these important concepts.
Despite criticisms, Dawkins’s ability to depict animal behavior from a genetic lens has significantly influenced the scientific community and the public’s understanding. His background as an ethologist, studying the evolutionary basis of animal behavior, inspired many, including myself, to pursue careers in this field. This enduring relevance underscores the continued impact of his metaphor, even in the face of some outdated ideas.
In Europe, gas cookers and ovens can slowly leak dangerous chemicals, posing health risks to inhabitants. Almost 10% of homes inspected across the UK, Netherlands, and Italy had leaks exceeding exposure limits for the carcinogenic chemical benzene.
“Living with a gas burner is akin to living with a smoker,” asserts Drew Michanowitz from PSE Health Energy in Oakland, California. “Sidestream smoke produces similar benzene levels indoors.”
Naturally, methane and natural gas can harbor several volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which are known to be harmful, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and hexane. Benzene is particularly concerning due to its links to serious health issues, including cancer (especially leukemia), immune suppression, anemia, and excessive bleeding.
Previous research has identified high benzene concentrations in natural gas sourced from the North Sea and the Netherlands. However, the extent of human exposure remained unclear until Mihanovic’s team collected gas samples from 72 homes across the UK, Netherlands, and Italy.
When compared to levels found in the United States, benzene concentrations were alarmingly higher—nine times greater in Italy, 37 times higher in the UK, and an astonishing 66 times higher in the Netherlands.
The research team sealed kitchens in 35 homes to monitor for gas leaks, estimating that 9% of these homes could exceed safety limits set by the UK and the European Union. No level of benzene exposure can be considered safe.
“These levels are just from gas leaks,” said Mihanovic. “Other sources of benzene could elevate actual concentrations even further.”
“Natural gas leaks could represent a significant source of benzene contamination based on existing sources and household ventilation rates,” commented Nicola Carslaw from the University of York, UK, who was not part of the study. “Individual household behaviors also play a huge role.”
Mihanovic believes the surveyed homes accurately reflect a broad population. Interestingly, stove leak rates in Europe were lower on average than those previously recorded in the US. This may indicate either fewer leaks in Europe or that uninspected homes may present a higher leak rate.
For Paul Monks, a researcher at the University of Leicester in the UK, the solution is clear. “An increasing body of evidence regarding indoor air pollution linked to gas stoves underscores the need to transition away from them for improved health and environmental benefits,” Monks says.
Induction stoves offer numerous advantages, being energy efficient, non-polluting, low fire risk, and eliminating the chance of larger explosions. However, some individuals remain attached to gas cooking, according to Mihanovic.
Cooking with gas can also release pollutants like benzene and nitrogen oxides, with leaks presenting a larger hazard, as cooking durations are generally short with extractor fans often in use.
Most detected leaks fell below levels that would typically trigger a smell. Mihanovic suggests increasing gas odorants to detect more of these slow leaks, but notes that “our sense of smell is imperfect, varying greatly from person to person.”
While adequate ventilation can improve indoor air quality when outdoor air is clean, initiatives aimed at boosting energy efficiency often compromise ventilation rates. “We have a long road ahead in evolving building codes to address energy efficiency alongside ventilation and indoor pollution sources,” he stated. For example, implementing heat recovery ventilation systems could enhance airflow while minimizing energy loss.
Recent research findings suggest that long-term cryo-sleep and revival may no longer be purely science fiction. A study published in PNAS reveals intriguing advancements.
Scientists from Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) and Erlangen University Hospital successfully froze mouse brain tissue and restored its functionality upon thawing.
Although only a fraction of the brain tissue was revitalized, the neurons retained the ability to transmit electrical signals, sustaining complex processes essential for memory and learning.
“Before conducting the experiment, we weren’t sure it would succeed,” stated Dr. Alexander German, first author of the study from the Department of Molecular Neurology at Erlangen University Hospital, as reported by BBC Science Focus.
“Public focus is likely to transition from ‘pure science fiction’ to ‘serious scientific and technological challenges.’”
Nature’s Cryo-Sleep Solutions
Interestingly, nature already exhibits cryo-sleep capabilities. Siberian salamanders can endure temperatures as low as -50°C (-58°F), remaining in a dormant state for years in permafrost until conditions are favorable for revival.
This remarkable resilience is attributed to their liver, which produces glycerol—a natural antifreeze that inhibits the formation of ice crystals within cells.
Ice formation has historically obstructed human cryopreservation efforts, as crystals damage the intricate nanostructures of living tissues.
Current cryoprotective agents have their own drawbacks; many are toxic to sensitive cells, and fluctuations in their concentrations can disrupt fluid balance in tissues.
The Siberian salamander, the coldest amphibian on Earth, employs an extraordinary evolutionary strategy to freeze and thaw safely – Photo credit: Getty
The research team employed a technique known as vitrification. This process replaces much of the tissue fluid with a blend of cryoprotective agents, cooling the molecules rapidly enough to stabilize them in a glass-like state. While both ice and glass are hard solids, glass’s random structure prevents crystallization and subsequent mechanical damage.
German and his team utilized a custom solution called V3, meticulously optimized to reduce toxicity while inhibiting ice formation.
Focusing on the hippocampus—a brain region crucial for memory and learning—the researchers processed slices of mouse hippocampus, approximately three times thicker than a human hair, through increasingly concentrated V3 solutions before rapidly cooling them to -196°C (-321°F) on a copper cylinder chilled with liquid nitrogen, and storing them at -150°C (-238°F) for durations ranging from 10 minutes to 7 days.
Upon thawing, the structural integrity of the neurons was preserved, and electrical recordings confirmed that the neurons were active and communicating within hippocampal circuits.
The breakthrough was evidenced by the presence of long-term potentiation (LTP), a vital process that strengthens connections between frequently used neurons, serving as the cellular foundation for learning and memory—it continued to function effectively.
This was a significant finding for German, as LTP is a rigorous measure of brain function, dependent on a complex interplay of cellular mechanisms, including signaling chemicals, receptor activation, calcium ion processing, and a cascade of molecular events that fortify neuronal connections.
The successful maintenance of these processes post-vitrification indicates that the tissue emerged in remarkably good condition.
“This result demonstrates that the synaptic machinery remains sufficiently intact to support de novo plasticity after complete cryoarrest,” German stated.
Bridging Science Fiction and Reality
The immediate applications are terrestrial rather than interstellar. Surgeons who excise brain tissue during epilepsy surgeries often need to analyze it rapidly. With effective vitrification techniques, these samples could be preserved for re-examination years later.
Germany’s spin-off company, Hiber, is actively working on developing reliable technology for preserving human neural tissue, aimed at advancing drug discovery and disease research.
German also noted that the physics underlying long-term storage is surprisingly encouraging. When tissue drops below its glass transition temperature, molecular movement and chemical degradation essentially halt.
However, he mentioned that radiation could pose more significant challenges, especially if this technology is utilized in future long-distance space missions.
The vitrified tissue on the left remains intact, while the tissue on the right is compromised by crystallization and cracking – Photo credit: Alexander German
Expanding from Tissues to Organisms
Scaling up from thin tissue slices to entire organs—or even whole organisms—poses considerably different challenges.
In thin slices, antifreeze can diffuse from all surfaces effectively. In intact organs, however, delivery and removal through blood vessels becomes complex due to the blood-brain barrier.
If thawing occurs unevenly, the tissue risks cracking or partial recrystallization, jeopardizing the structure that vitrification aims to protect.
“Our PNAS study serves as proof of principle for neural cryobiology, rather than demonstrating cryostasis for complete organisms,” German emphasized.
“This study shows that adult mammalian brain tissue can recover near-physiological circuit function after being completely stopped in cryogenic glass without ice. This point addresses the concern that adult brain tissue is too fragile for cryopreservation.”
For German, the significance of this research is less about cinematic science-fiction narratives and more about tangible scientific advancements. “The cold version of the science fiction concept isn’t solely about interstellar travel; it’s about gaining time,” he explained.
“If medicine can develop more effective methods to preserve tissues, organs, and potentially patients, we may pave the way for better treatment options in the future.”
I first visited Chernobyl in 2016, marking three decades since the catastrophic Reactor 4 explosion. Anticipating a desolate and silent landscape defined by radiation, I was surprised to witness a beaver swimming beneath the nuclear power plant’s structure.
The April 26, 1986, explosion led many to believe that the surrounding environment would remain biologically barren for generations. The exclusion zone, characterized by the highest radiation levels, spans about 2,600 square kilometers in Ukraine, roughly equivalent to the area of Luxembourg.
When considering adjacent regions in Belarus, the affected landscape increases to over 4,500 square kilometers. This scale made it challenging to envision a thriving future for Chernobyl, once thought of merely as wasteland.
In the aftermath of the disaster, evidence supported this bleak perception. The nearby pine forest, heavily contaminated, displayed orange-red needles and became known as the Red Forest. Initial studies indicated a disturbing decline in small mammals and invertebrates within contaminated zones.
Trees in the Red Forest absorbed radiation from the dust plume created by the disaster – Credit: Getty
By 2016, I watched as a black head emerged from the cooling pond beneath Reactor 4, a reminder that this water was initially designed to prevent nuclear reactors from overheating. Now, it supported wildlife, with beavers acting as normal citizens of this unique ecosystem.
Chernobyl is often imagined as a realm of grotesque mutations—two-headed fish and other horrors. Contrary to this, I observed white-tailed eagles and migratory ospreys hunting as if in any other wetland. A great egret actively fished in the reactor’s shadow, while a gray wolf briefly appeared from the reeds, retreating rather than patrolling a desolated land.
Public expectations of Chernobyl evoke scenes of destruction, silence, and visible decay. However, nearly 40 years post-disaster, the exclusion zone has evolved into an extraordinary ecological experiment, shaped by time and the absence of human presence. Conventional ecological principles no longer apply, allowing for the emergence of unique wildlife.
Typically, large animals are the first to vanish following an environmental catastrophe due to their slow reproduction and expansive habitats. Surprisingly, in Chernobyl, such species are flourishing.
Large mammals, such as wolves, have returned in greater numbers than expected. Brown bears have reappeared, and European bison roam abandoned fields. Przewalski’s horses, introduced in the late 1990s, now thrive freely, while beavers populate rivers and canals, along with deer, wild boar, elk, and lynx reclaiming territories once heavily managed by agriculture.
Radiation doesn’t seem to deter them; rather, scientists emphasize that the absence of human interference has played a significant role. Without hunting pressure and habitat destruction, large wildlife has adapted and even thrived.
While some may expect dire consequences from radiation, scientists like Dr. Germán Orizaola reveal that ecological dynamics and the lack of human presence contribute significantly to wildlife adaptability.
2. Blackened Frogs
An obvious illustration of radiation’s effect can be seen in regionally distinct frogs. Eastern tree frogs in the exclusion zone exhibit noticeably darker pigmentation than those in other parts of Ukraine. As noted by Dr. Orizaola, “If you show me a frog, I’ll tell you whether it came from inside or outside Chernobyl.”
These contaminated frogs are, on average, 40% darker than their counterparts outside the zone, linked to melanin levels that help combat radiation damage.
Some frogs around Chernobyl lost all their green color and turned completely black – Credit: Germán Orizaola
Oryzaola’s findings indicate that this darkness isn’t purely a result of radiation but reflects natural selection favoring darker pigmentation.
3. Fungi That Eat Radiation
Chernobyl’s fungi present even more peculiar examples of adaptation. Scientists have discovered a dark, melanin-rich fungus thriving within abandoned reactor sites and other highly radioactive areas.
These fungi flourish on walls and rubble in environments where most life cannot survive. Interestingly, some fungi seem to exhibit increased growth rates in high radiation environments.
Researchers hope the fungus could help clean up radioactive sites – Credit: Getty
4. Evolving Dogs
Hundreds of stray dogs, descendants of pets abandoned during the 1986 evacuation, still inhabit the exclusion zone. Notably, recent studies reveal these dogs have developed genetic differences compared to other Ukrainian populations.
A 2023 study examined 302 stray dogs, evidencing significant genetic divergence driven not solely by radiation but by factors such as isolation, limited movement, and changes in diet.
Dogs in restricted areas often interact with humans visiting the area – Credit: Getty
5. “Forest with No One”
For years, one of the unsettling aspects of Chernobyl was not what was visible, but what was absent. Initially, researchers noted the unusual silence in many parts of the exclusion zone, indicative of a lack of biodiversity.
This phenomenon, termed the “empty forest effect,” described landscapes rich in structure yet lacking certain critical layers of fauna.
With the passage of time, the soundscape has evolved. Today, many areas once defined by silence now resonate with the calls of birds, such as warblers and nightingales, many of which are returning even to still-contaminated regions.
Birds are more affected by radiation than larger animals, but they managed to return to Chernobyl – Credit: Getty
What Chernobyl Really Teaches Us
This April marks four decades since the disaster, but firm conclusions regarding its ecological impact are still elusive. Wildlife resurgence primarily stems from human absence, though the effects of radiation continue to exert subtle biological pressures across varying scales.
As science writer Mary Missio notes, the no-go zone represents not a return to a primitive past but the emergence of a novel ecosystem forged through chance and abandonment. Ultimately, Chernobyl reveals how ecosystems can unexpectedly respond when familiar rules are disrupted, highlighting the profound effects of human absence on the natural world.
On its way to Jupiter, ESA’s JUICE spacecraft observed the rare interstellar comet, 3I/ATLAS, gathering crucial data from an object originating beyond our solar system.
This stunning image of 3I/ATLAS was taken by the Navigation Camera (NavCam) aboard JUICE in November 2025. Image credit: ESA/Juice/NavCam.
3I/ATLAS, discovered on July 1, 2025, by the NASA-funded ATLAS survey telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile, is an extraordinary interstellar comet. Also referred to as C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), this comet entered our solar system from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius.
The comet features the most dynamically extreme orbit ever recorded in the solar system, showcasing its interstellar origins and remarkable speed.
On October 30, 2025, 3I/ATLAS reached its closest perihelion to the Sun, coming within 1.4 AU (astronomical units) of Earth, just inside Mars’ orbit.
“From the moment of its discovery, we understood that the unique shape of its orbit would allow JUICE to observe it from a different perspective than Earth,” explained Dr. Marco Fenucci, a mathematician and near-Earth object dynamist at ESA’s Near-Earth Object Coordination Center.
Predictions indicated that JUICE would be the closest spacecraft to 3I/ATLAS in November 2025, shortly after it reached perihelion.
“Preparing for payload pointing campaigns and flybys generally requires about nine months,” noted Angela Dietz, JUICE spacecraft operations manager. “When ATLAS appeared, we recognized that time was limited.”
JUICE commenced 3I/ATLAS observations on November 2, 2025, continuing until November 25. The closest approach occurred on November 4, at approximately 0.4 astronomical units.
Utilizing five instruments—JANUS, MAJIS, UVS, SWI, and PEP—the spacecraft conducted extensive measurements of the interstellar visitor.
Due to thermal limitations, observations were restricted to six 45-minute slots and one final 4-hour slot.
These sessions yielded 126 scientific files, totaling 11.18 gigabits of invaluable data.
However, scientists must wait for the results, as high bitrate downlinks are feasible only after JUICE enters the cold cruise phase in mid-January 2026.
The eagerly awaited data downlink happened over two 11-hour passes on February 17 and 20, 2026, using ESTRACK’s New Norcia and Malargüe deep space antennas.
“What we do is a collaborative effort, and the ability to optimize this campaign in such a short timeframe is something we take pride in,” stated Dietz.
“Jupiter’s icy moons are frequently visited, with flybys occurring just weeks apart.”
“The successful 3I/ATLAS campaign enhances our confidence that JUICE can efficiently meet scientific objectives on short notice and effectively manage complex operations within tight schedules,” commented Federico Giannetto, JUICE spacecraft operations engineer.
Recent scientific research has unveiled two previously unknown species of marsupials within the remote rainforests of New Guinea’s Vogelkop Peninsula. The Pygmy Longfinger Possum (Dactylonax Kambuyai) and Wow Glider (Thus ayamalensis) are believed to have vanished around 6,000 years ago. These discoveries indicate that New Guinea’s rich forests may still conceal remnants of an ancient animal kingdom.
Pygmy Longfinger Possum (Dactylonax Kambuyai), a female spotted in the Kralik area of the Vogelkop Peninsula. Image credit: Carlos Bocos.
Professor Tim Flannery from the Australian Museum states: “The identification of a ‘Lazarus taxon’ is a remarkable event, especially when it was thought to be recently extinct.”
“The uncovering of two species once believed to be extinct for millennia is truly exceptional.”
“This discovery underscores the crucial need to conserve these unique biological regions and highlights the significance of collaborative research in safeguarding hidden biodiversity.”
The pygmy long-tailed possum and the ring-tailed glider, known through Pleistocene fossils found in Australia and New Guinea, inhabit secluded lowland forests of the Vogelkop Peninsula.
“Vogelkop represents an ancient section of the Australian continent, now part of New Guinea,” remarked Professor Flannery.
“Its forests may still harbor even more hidden aspects of Australia’s natural history.”
The Pygmy Longfinger Possum boasts striking stripes and remarkable adaptability, featuring one finger on each hand that is twice as long as the next longest finger.
This species is thought to have vanished from Australia during the Ice Age, a period notorious for the extinction of iconic megafauna, including the diprotodon and the marsupial lion.
Wow Glider (Thus ayamalensis), a subadult from the South Solon area of the Vogelkop Peninsula. Image credit: Arman Muharmansyah.
The ring-tailed glider is closely related to the Australian Glider (Petauroides) and marks the first new genus of marsupials identified in New Guinea since 1937.
Smaller than its relatives, this species features furless ears and a strong, prehensile tail, forming lifelong pair bonds and typically raising just one pup annually.
Similar to sugar gliders, these marsupials reside in tree hollows high within the forest canopy and face threats from logging practices.
“The glider, known locally as tous among some Tamburou and Maybrat communities, is deemed sacred,” shared Lika Koline, a Maybrat community member.
“It symbolizes the spirits of our ancestors and plays a key role in educational practices such as initiation ceremonies.”
“Our meticulous collaboration with Tamburou Elders was essential, and without the involvement of Traditional Owners, this identification would not have been feasible.”
“We are immensely proud that Papuan researchers have contributed to these groundbreaking findings. Our gratitude extends to the communities in Misool, Maybrat, and Tambulo for their continued support in this research,” stated Dr. Aksamina Yohanita from the University of Papua.
A detailed study discussing these findings was published on March 6th in the Australian Museum Records.
_____
Tim F. Flannery et al. 2026. “Reemergence after 6,000 years: A modern record of the ‘extinct’ Papuan marsupial, Dactylonax Kambuyai (Marsupial: Petauridae), revised phylogeny and zoogeography of the genus Dactylonax.” Records of the Australian Museum 78 (1): 17-34; doi: 10.3853/j.2201-4349.78.2026.3003
Astronomers utilizing ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) and VLT Interferometer (VLTI) in Chile have made groundbreaking discoveries by directly observing two giant gas planets forming within a planet-forming disk around the star Whispit 2. This research offers one of the most detailed insights into planetary system formation to date, highlighted by distinctive gaps and rings of surrounding material, which suggest the likelihood of additional alien worlds in the vicinity.
Images captured by ESO’s Very Large Telescope illustrate a young planetary system orbiting the star WISPIT 2. Image credit: ESO / Lawlor and colleagues.
“WISPIT 2 represents our clearest glimpse into the early stages of planetary formation,” stated Dr. Chloe Lawler, a researcher from Galway University.
“This discovery enables us to study entire planetary systems, rather than just individual planets in isolation,” noted Dr. Christian Ginski, also associated with the University of Galway.
“Such observations are crucial for enhancing our understanding of how nascent planetary systems evolve into mature systems like our own,” he added.
The first protoplanet found in the WISPIT 2 system, designated WISPIT 2b, was identified last year and has a mass nearly five times that of Jupiter, orbiting at a distance approximately 60 times that between the Earth and the Sun.
“Discovering this new world in formation showcases the remarkable capabilities of our current astronomical instruments,” commented Dr. Richelle van Capelveen from the Leiden Observatory.
Subsequent observations detected additional objects near WISPIT 2, with measurements from the VLT and VLTI confirming their planetary nature.
The newly identified planet, WISPIT 2c, is located four times closer to its host star and is twice as massive as WISPIT 2b.
Both planets are gas giants, akin to the outer planets in our solar system.
To validate WISPIT 2c, astronomers employed the SPHERE instrument on the VLT, followed by VLTI’s GRAVITY+ instrument to confirm it as a planet.
“Our study leveraged recent enhancements to GRAVITY+, which were essential for detecting such a clear planet in proximity to its star,” stated Dr. Guillaume Bourdaro from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics.
Both planets orbiting WISPIT 2 manifest in distinct gaps within the surrounding dust and gas disk, a phenomenon caused by each planet’s gravitational influence.
The material remaining around each gap forms unique dust rings within the disk composition.
In addition to the gaps hosting the two planets, at least one smaller gap exists further out in the WISPIT 2 disk.
“This narrower and shallower gap may indicate the presence of a third planet, possibly with a mass akin to Saturn,” Lawler speculated.
The findings are set to be detailed in an upcoming article in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
_____
Chloe Lawler and colleagues. 2026. Direct spectroscopy confirmation of the young embedded protoplanet WISPIT 2c. APJL 1000, L38; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae4b3b
Scanning Electron Micrograph: Escherichia coli (Yellow) Infecting Human Bladder Cells (Blue), Resulting in Thick Mucus Secretion (Orange).
Professor PM Motta et al./Science Photo Library
New research indicates that severe infections, such as cystitis, pneumonia, and dental issues, could elevate dementia risk. A comprehensive study in Finland involving hundreds of thousands of participants revealed that hospitalizations for these infections were linked to a higher probability of developing dementia, including early-onset dementia, within six years.
Current findings suggest that dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, may be preventable or delayed through brain-training activities, lifestyle changes, and even sauna use. Further evidence now supports that minimizing infections may significantly lower dementia risk. “This indicates that the risk of dementia may be partially modifiable,” says Quantin Wu from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, who was not part of the study.
To explore this further, researchers analyzed health records from 62,555 individuals aged 65 and older, all of whom were free from dementia in 2016 but diagnosed between 2017 and 2020. This cohort was compared with 312,772 dementia-free individuals matched by age, gender, education, and marital status, highlighting a two-decade span of diagnoses and hospitalization records.
The team identified 29 symptoms linked to an approximately 20% increased risk of developing dementia within the following five to six years. Notably, while most symptoms were non-infectious and concerned other health issues, cystitis and nonspecific bacterial infections specifically contributed to heightened dementia risk. Subsequent evaluations indicated that infections primarily drove this increase compared to 27 other health conditions.
While inflammation is a crucial immune response to infections, it also plays a role in certain dementia types, including Alzheimer’s disease. Infection-induced inflammation can damage the brain’s circulatory system, leading to microbleeds and the infiltration of toxins through the blood-brain barrier, according to Shipira. Moreover, there is increasing evidence that vaccines targeting infections like shingles and influenza may lower dementia risk.
In another segment of the research, a focus was placed on early-onset dementia, identified in individuals under 65. Although conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and head trauma pose significant risks, multiple infections—including gastroenteritis, colitis, pneumonia, and dental infections—were found to have associations with early-onset dementia.
The variation in which specific infections affect either early-onset or standard-onset dementia remains unclear. The researchers noted differing causes and genetic susceptibilities associated with these dementia types in their findings.
Despite the robust correlations observed, it’s uncertain if these infections are direct causative agents of dementia or if mere correlations arise from confounding variables. “To clarify, intervention trials are essential to assess whether improved infection prevention can effectively lower or delay dementia onset,” Cipila asserts.
“Gil Livingston,” a professor at University College London, expressed openness to the possibility that such studies may affirm causal links. “This high-quality research aligns with other evidence, and when considering the timeline and biological plausibility, it seems likely,” she states.
This insight could significantly enhance strategies for preventing, managing, and monitoring serious infectious diseases, according to Wu. For instance, preventing cystitis involves maintaining adequate hydration and administering appropriate incontinence care. “Timely treatment is vital as UTIs in older adults often manifest unusually, such as through confusion or delirium, which can lead to missed or delayed diagnoses,” she emphasizes. “This study is both concerning and motivating.”
New Models Suggest Flawed Understanding of Early Solar System
Image Credit: Panther Media Global / Alamy
The formation of the inner solar system may not align with previous scientific beliefs. Traditionally, researchers posited that rocky planets emerged from a singular disc of dust and debris originating from the early solar system. However, groundbreaking new simulations indicate the possible existence of two distinct disks.
Models relying on a single disk or ring of material surrounding the young Sun tend to fall short in replicating several observable features of our solar system. For instance, Earth’s unique rock composition suggests a blend of two different types, which raises questions about their originating from a singular ring. Moreover, single-ring models often render Mercury and Mars disproportionately large while placing Venus and Earth too closely together, leading to composition similarities between Earth and Mars that seem out of place.
Bill Bottke, along with his team at Colorado’s Southwest Research Institute, conducted a series of sophisticated simulations exploring how planets could evolve from a shared reservoir of material. Yet they faced persistent challenges.
“For six months, we tried different simulations without success,” Bottke explained during a recent presentation at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference held in Texas on March 16th. “In a moment of desperation, we considered testing a second reservoir and discovered that this approach yielded a viable model for creating terrestrial planets, while addressing many of the outstanding concerns.”
The optimal model proposed involved two separate disks: one situated about half the current distance from the Sun to Earth and the other approximately 1.7 times that distance. The simulation resulted in planets of proper size and distance.
This theory also aligns with the compositions of the Earth, Moon, and Mars. “We believe Earth predominantly formed from material sourced from the inner solar system, with only a minor contribution from outside,” noted Jan Hermann, who delivered a related presentation the same day at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany. In contrast, Mars appears to have formed mainly from the outer disk, explaining the contrasting compositions of the two planets.
Nonetheless, some researchers express concern that this model relies on very specific initial conditions that may not be entirely understood. “Small alterations in the shape of the disk can significantly affect the outcome of where terrestrial planets are positioned,” Bottke cautioned.
Current efforts are focused on refining the model and exploring additional factors that may influence solar system formation. “We’re investing considerable computational resources to examine every logical possibility,” Bottke indicated. If successful, this new perspective could illuminate various solar system enigmas, from anomalous asteroids to mysterious lunar rocks.
Discover PicII-503: A Protostar in the Ancient Pictor II Dwarf Galaxy
This striking image of PicII-503 highlights a second-generation star with the lowest iron content ever recorded outside our Milky Way galaxy. Image credits: CTIO / NOIRLab / DOE / NSF / AURA / University of Alaska Anchorage TA Chancellor and NSF NOIRLab / M. Zamani and D. de Martin, NSF NOIRLab / Anirudh Chiti / Alex Drlica-Wagner.
“This marks the first definitive detection of element formation in protogalaxies,” stated Dr. Aniru Chitty, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago, now at Stanford University.
“This discovery fills a crucial gap in understanding the origin of elements during the universe’s formative years.”
In the primordial epochs following the Big Bang, the cosmos was relatively simple, comprised almost entirely of hydrogen, helium, and lithium, giving rise to giant stars primarily formed by these elements.
More complex elements, like calcium and gold, were scarce since they had to be synthesized within stars themselves.
At the cores of these massive stars, nuclear fusion processes created increasingly heavier elements.
When these stars eventually exploded, they contributed to the formation of new stars, perpetuating this cycle until a diverse array of elements emerged, forming the universe we know today.
“To track elemental formation, we must search for stars with minimal heavy elements, as these accumulate over time,” explained University of Chicago astronomer Alexander Gee.
Using the Magellan Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory and ESO’s Very Large Telescope, astronomers identified a significant candidate star within the ultrafaint dwarf galaxy Pictor II.
This star, identified as PicIII-503, exhibits a remarkable structure, with an iron content approximately 1/100,000 times lower than that of our Sun.
This extraordinary finding not only generates excitement but also offers insights into the enigmatic origins of these early stars.
Consequently, since PicIII-503 remains within its original protogalaxy, astronomers have uncovered vital information regarding its formation theory, particularly related to the star’s explosive death.
“Upon the demise of a massive star, it possesses an ‘onion-skin’ structure: lighter elements like carbon reside in outer layers while heavier elements are found inside,” Gee noted.
“A weak explosion may only eject the outer layers, allowing the heavier inner materials to coalesce with neighboring gas and dust, which can form future generations of stars.”
“However, a vigorous explosion could propel these materials far beyond the small galaxies that existed during that era,” he added.
This exciting discovery provides context for the abundance of carbon-rich stars observed in our Milky Way, illuminating their origin, Dr. Chitty emphasized.
For more on the discovery of PicIII-503, refer to the research paper published in Nature Astronomy.
_____
A. Chitty et al. Enrichment by the first stars of relic dwarf galaxies. Nat Astron published online on March 16, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41550-026-02802-z
A groundbreaking team of scientists at New York University has successfully developed a unique version of an exotic phase of matter where particles are acoustically suspended and interact through sound wave exchanges.
Morel et al. observed a revolutionary type of time crystal with particles suspended on a cushion of sound while interacting through sound waves. Image credit: David Song / New York University.
Time crystals—collections of particles that “keep time”—are poised to transform fields like quantum computing and data storage.
The particles present in this innovative time crystal defy Newton’s third law of motion, which posits that every action has an equal and opposite reaction, emphasizing a balance in forces.
Unlike traditional particles, these new particles interact independently, are not strictly bound by equilibrium forces, and exhibit non-reciprocal movement.
Remarkably, these time crystals are visible to the naked eye and are housed in a compact, one-foot-tall device that can easily be held in hand.
“The speaker emits sound waves, allowing us to place small particles at the pressure nodes, effectively suspending them against gravity,” stated Leela Elliott, an undergraduate at New York University.
The time crystal is constructed using Styrofoam beads that are suspended by these sound waves, initially employed as an acoustic levitation device to maintain the beads in the air.
“We discovered that a simple system of two particles suspended within an acoustic standing wave can spontaneously oscillate and generate time crystal effects due to their unbalanced interactions,” explained Mia Morell, a graduate student at NYU.
“When these airborne particles interact, they do so by exchanging scattered sound waves.”
“Specifically, larger particles scatter more sound than smaller ones,” she added.
“Consequently, the influence of large particles on small particles is greater than the reverse.”
“This results in an asymmetry in interactions between small and large particles.”
“Imagine two ferries of different sizes approaching a pier,” she said.
“Each ferry creates waves that displace the other, but the impact varies based on size.”
This discovery broadens the scope of potential applications for these crystals, promising advancements in technology and industry.
“Time crystals exhibit a high degree of autonomy, making independent decisions and persisting on their path,” stated Professor David Greer of New York University.
“They are intriguing not only for their potential applications but also due to their visually exotic and complex structure.”
“In contrast, our system stands out because it’s surprisingly straightforward.”
The team’s key findings were published in the Physical Review Letters.
_____
Mia C. Morell et al. 2026. Non-reciprocal wave-mediated interactions power the classical time crystal. Physics Review Letters, 136, 057201; doi: 10.1103/zjzk-t81n
Antimatter has made its debut as about 100 antiprotons were successfully transported in a truck for 20 minutes around CERN, the famed particle physics laboratory located near Geneva, Switzerland. This groundbreaking demonstration marks the initial phase of a future antimatter delivery service, paving the way for scientists to transport antiprotons on demand to various research facilities across Europe for in-depth study.
“I’m thrilled that we’ve reached this milestone in transporting antimatter,” said Christian Smolla from CERN. “This achievement has required extensive efforts, marked by both challenges and triumphs.”
All matter possesses antimatter, which is theoretically identical but carries opposite charges. For instance, a positron is the antimatter counterpart of an electron. When antimatter particles meet their matter equivalents, they annihilate each other, resulting in the creation of new particles or bursts of energy. This unique property complicates both the storage and experimental study of antimatter.
Only in recent decades have researchers at CERN’s Antimatter Moderation Hall, colloquially known as the Antimatter Factory, been able to produce enough antimatter, such as antiprotons, to conduct meaningful experiments and further comprehend their unique characteristics. Ongoing experiments aim to answer why our universe predominantly consists of matter rather than antimatter.
Loading Delicate Anti-Cargo onto Truck
Cologne
To decelerate antiprotons, which are produced at near-light speeds, scientists employ potent magnetic fields. However, this makes it challenging to investigate the magnetic properties of the antiprotons themselves. In 2018, Smola and his team initiated the Symmetry Test in Portable Antiproton Experiment (STEP) project. This portable container utilizes a tank of liquid helium in conjunction with a strong magnetic field, enabling antiprotons to be transported to quieter settings for further study.
So far, the STEP project has successfully completed a test run on a four-kilometer ring road at the CERN campus, successfully transporting 92 antiprotons from the Antimatter Factory without compromising the cargo.
“This ensures precise measurements for years to come, as no disturbances in the hall will affect the assessments,” states Jeffrey Hungst from the ALPHA experiment, which studies antihydrogen atoms nearby at Denmark’s Aarhus University.
Looking ahead, Smola and his team aspire to extend the STEP project beyond CERN, ultimately delivering antimatter to magnetically quiet facilities across Europe. However, achieving this goal may take several years as a significant portion of CERN undergoes upgrades to the Large Hadron Collider, expected to conclude by the end of 2028.
CERN: The Hub of Particle Physics in Europe
Discover the groundbreaking research at CERN, Europe’s leading center for particle physics. Situated near the scenic lakeside city of Geneva, CERN is renowned for its pioneering work on the Large Hadron Collider and its studies on dark matter and frozen matter.
The American Physical Society Global Physics Summit: The World’s Largest Physicists Conference.
Credit: American Physical Society
I’m seated in the auditorium at the American Physical Society Global Physics Summit, the largest annual gathering of physicists worldwide, with 14,000 researchers attending this year in Denver, Colorado. We gather to hear prominent scientists present their groundbreaking research, yet many are now turning to artificial intelligence (AI) for clarification on complex topics.
As the presentations progressed, I frequently noticed an AI chatbot displayed on my laptop screen. These AI chatbots are utilized to simplify complex concepts. Questions like, “What are the benefits of transmon qubits?” and “Can you explain spintronics?” are addressed with rapid, bulleted emoji responses.
AI chatbots have shown promise in educational settings, but whether they can contribute significantly to real-world physics research remains a hot topic at conferences, sparking discussions in talks, intersessions, and networking events.
In a recent presentation, Harvard University researcher Matthew Schwartz highlighted that Anthropic’s Claude chatbot can tackle advanced physics problems with proficiency comparable to early-stage PhD students. Schwartz, who co-authored a study in January focused on quantum field theory, shared that collaborating with Claude sped up research that would typically take two years with human students.
He argues that AI could fundamentally change theoretical physics, stating he will no longer work with students who resist using AI tools. Schwartz believes that AI advancements could solve longstanding challenges in physics, such as harmonizing quantum mechanics with Einstein’s theory of general relativity, within the next five years. He metaphorically expressed that working with Claude made him feel akin to Einstein, proposing the idea of “10,000 Einsteins.”
However, Schwartz’s perspective represents an extreme viewpoint. CUNY professor Savannah Thais maintained that it’s premature to gauge how much technology will transform physics, emphasizing the AI’s capacity to generate plausible-sounding science without guaranteeing accuracy. Critical assumptions in particle physics can often obscure the validity of results.
During a session, Rachel Burley from the American Physical Society noted the initial enthusiasm over AI tools assisting physicists with writing and publishing scientific papers had quickly led to an overwhelming increase in journal submissions, straining the peer review process.
A recurring question from both formal presentations and informal dialogues was: As AI evolves, what roles will remain for human researchers? Matthew Ginsburg, a former physicist with extensive experience in AI at Google DeepMind, suggested that while AI may offer consensus expert opinions, innovation arises from researchers willing to challenge conventional understanding and pose unexpected questions.
Schwartz speculated that human physicists will primarily focus on setting research priorities based on interest and significance. He expressed concern that the transition could lead to complications before improvements manifest, stating, “It’s remarkable, yet slightly concerning.”
Are Harmful Genetic Mutations Accumulating and Impacting Our Intelligence?
H. Armstrong Roberts/Classic Stock/Getty Images
Every human is born with approximately 100 genetic mutations, unique from their parents. As you have children, half of these mutations are passed down, coupled with new mutations from the next generation. This raises an important question: Are harmful mutations accumulating in humans, leading to a decline in both physical and mental fitness?
Some experts, like geneticist Michael Lynch, suggest that we could see a significant decline in human physical fitness over the next few centuries in industrialized societies. In a 2010 study, various countries, including the UK and Australia, reported declines in IQ, suggesting we might be witnessing a direct consequence of these accumulating mutations.
Historically, the concept of human degeneration spurred highly unethical eugenics policies in the 20th century. While early proponents fabricated stories to justify their views, modern genomic sequencing allows us to directly analyze mutations and understand their implications.
Research indicates that humans possess a relatively high mutation rate compared to many other species. The male reproductive system, responsible for producing sperm continuously from stem cells, plays a vital role in this process. As men can father children for extended periods, mutations may accumulate over generations more than in short-lived species.
While most of our 100 additional mutations have little impact due to the prevalence of ‘junk’ DNA, some can lead to harmful effects. These mutations can occur within protein-coding genes or regulatory sequences, potentially altering gene function.
While severe mutations can be life-threatening, others with minor negative effects can persist through generations. So, what prevents a continuous buildup of harmful mutations in populations?
Traditional genetic theories posit that offspring with significantly damaging mutations are less likely to survive and reproduce, stabilizing the ‘genetic load’ of harmful mutations within populations. However, with evolving health care and conditions in high-income countries, natural selection may be weakening.
Lynch proposes that relaxed natural selection is contributing to the accumulation of harmful mutations, predicting a reduction in human fitness by at least 1% per generation, and perhaps even up to 5%.
Nevertheless, some studies upon which Lynch’s predictions are based involved non-mammalian species. Peter Keatley and his team at the University of Edinburgh explored mutation accumulation in mammals, breeding 55 strains of mice over 21 generations under relaxed selection conditions. Their findings, published in 2024, suggest that the fitness loss in humans per generation may equate to less than 0.4%.
It’s worth noting that natural selection remains effective, as a considerable percentage of pregnancies end in miscarriage. According to Joanna Maskell from the University of Arizona, “There’s always a choice.”
Is Losing Physical Strength Necessarily a Negative Thing?
Moreover, fitness, in an evolutionary context, isn’t always advantageous. Genetic mutations providing resistance to infectious diseases or malnutrition may have adverse effects when those threats are minimal or negligible. For instance, a mutation providing malaria resistance can manifest in sickle cell disease when malaria is absent.
In the larger scheme of evolution, organisms like bacteria can quickly eliminate harmful mutations due to their smaller genomes and large population sizes. However, Maskell notes that this rapid elimination isn’t feasible for humans.
“Our genomes are cluttered with various parasitic elements,” she states. “The influx of harmful mutations surpasses our capacity for removal, yet we possess mechanisms to compensate for them.”
Instead of individually cleansing genetic disadvantages, organisms have evolved a ‘sewage system’ to manage multiple issues simultaneously. This evolutionary process suggests that even rare beneficial mutations with substantial effects can counterbalance numerous slightly detrimental mutations.
A Sewage Treatment System for Clearing Dangerous Mutations
pxl.store/Alamy
This perspective is profound; harmful mutations can paradoxically drive complexity by creating issues that require the evolution of advanced solutions. For example, when a mutation introduces junk DNA into a gene, cellular systems have evolved to excise this extraneous material from the RNA copy.
“We’re effectively enhancing our waste management system at a faster rate than we create disruptions,” Maskell comments. “Surprisingly, the mathematical outcomes were counterintuitive.”
If these findings hold true, then the high mutation rates in humans may not present the alarming issue many biologists fear. The correlation between declining IQ and mutation may be coincidental. The scientific inquiry continues, yet there’s little cause for alarm regarding human degeneration.
Meanwhile, there are pressing global issues that warrant our attention, such as climate change, which Maseru suggests should be our primary concern instead. I wholeheartedly concur.
It’s curious: as the years go by, the scale doesn’t seem to reflect the passage of time. You may have heard that metabolism slows with age, but what does that really mean for the average person?
No matter how you look at it, you’re likely just as active, if not more so, than in your youth, and your appetite remains unchanged.
So why is weight gain still so common?
Research published in the journal Cell Metabolism suggests that changes in the shape of melanocortin 4 (MC4) receptors in the brain might hold the answer.
Not familiar with MC4 receptors? You’re not alone. However, understanding these receptors could be crucial in tackling age-related obesity.
MC4 receptors have been a focal point in obesity research for some time. Here’s what we know:
MC4 receptors are primarily located in the hypothalamus, the brain’s control center. These receptors are found on neurons that integrate hormonal signals to manage appetite and energy balance.
According to Kazuhiro Nakamura, the senior author of the study and a physiologist at Nagoya University, “MC4 receptors receive satiety signals and help regulate metabolism while suppressing appetite.”
This “satiety signal” notifies the body when it’s full, controlled by hormones like melanocortin and leptin acting on MC4 and other receptors that dictate when to stop eating and when to ramp up energy expenditure.
As you likely know, the balance of food intake and energy expenditure is central to weight management, with MC4 receptors playing a pivotal role.
Previous studies indicate that individuals with genetic mutations affecting the MC4 receptor are more prone to weight gain from childhood onward. Despite only 1 in 500 individuals having this genetic defect, the prevalence of severely obese children can be as high as 5 in 100, making MC4 receptor deficiency the most common monogenic cause of obesity.
While it’s clear that MC4 receptors are crucial to our weight, they don’t fully explain the gradual weight gain associated with aging. Fortunately, Nakamura and his team have some insights to share.
Discover More:
What Happens to MC4 Receptors as We Age?
Research indicates that as rats age, neuronal “antennas” called “primary cilia,” which contain MC4 receptors, shorten, leading to a decrease in MC4 receptor numbers.
Professor Nakamura explains, “Shortening antennae with age results in decreased metabolism and increased appetite, contributing to obesity in middle age.”
Although this study focused on rats, past research links changes in MC4 receptors to weight gain in both animals and potentially humans. “We suspect a similar mechanism could be present in humans,” says Nakamura.
The researchers employed genetic engineering to shorten the antennae of young rats, resulting in increased food intake and reduced fat burning, leading to weight gain. They also discovered that rats lacking the MC4 receptor were resistant to the appetite-suppressing hormone leptin, much like obese humans.
Aging and poor diet contribute to the shortening of primary cilia containing MC4R, linked to obesity in rats – Image courtesy of Kazuhiro Nakamura
However, some researchers urge caution against drawing premature conclusions. “It’s too early to definitively state this because the studies have only been conducted in rats, and we’re missing key pieces of the puzzle,” says Sadaf Farooqi, Professor of Metabolism and Medicine at the University of Cambridge.
She emphasizes that age-related weight gain is complex, involving factors like hormones, muscle mass loss, and decreased metabolic rate. “This suggests that critical genes and molecules regulating body weight might change with age,” she notes.
All Is Not Lost: Here’s What You Can Do
On the bright side, the findings highlight a potential solution. While the antenna shortening process may be concerning, it can be slowed down through simple lifestyle changes.
Maintaining a healthy diet and practicing calorie moderation are crucial. These measures not only aid in weight management but may also preserve your MC4 receptor-rich antennae as you age. Studies have shown that rats on high-fat diets experience quicker shortening of their MC4-containing cilia compared to those on healthier, calorie-restricted diets.
As Nakamura states, “Our findings underscore the importance of avoiding overeating. While calorie restriction can be challenging, it aids in reducing fat storage due to excessive energy intake.”
Moreover, he advises that adopting moderate eating habits is essential for preserving the cilia that keep the brain’s anti-obesity mechanisms functioning optimally as we age.
Lastly, consistent exercise is vital—not just for burning calories. “In middle-aged and older adults, exercise plays a crucial role in muscle maintenance,” says Farooqi. Maintaining muscle mass is important because muscle burns calories efficiently. Incorporating resistance training and ensuring adequate protein intake (recommended at about 20 grams per meal) can significantly help.
If you’re seeking a more advanced option, don’t be discouraged. Nakamura explains that the research team succeeded in engineering a protein that prevents the shortening of antennae, which allowed rats to shed excess weight.
In the meantime, Professor Farooqi highlights that treatments aimed at enhancing the MC4 pathway may benefit individuals facing midlife weight gain, particularly menopausal women. “While we still need more evidence, this is a promising avenue worth exploring,” she remarks.
About Our Experts
Kazuhiro Nakamura: Professor at Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, his research interests include central nervous circuits, thermoregulation, and metabolism. His work has been published in leading journals such as Frontiers of Life Science and Neuroscience Journal.
Sadaf Farooqi: Professor of Metabolism and Medicine at the University of Cambridge and Honorary Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. Farooqi is a leading figure in obesity research, having identified key genetic disorders related to severe childhood obesity and understanding appetite control mechanisms.
By analyzing new observations from Hubble alongside images captured in 1999, astronomers have successfully tracked the continuing expansion of one of the sky’s most studied supernova remnants, the Crab Nebula. This expansion is fueled by a rapidly spinning pulsar at its core.
This captivating image of the Crab Nebula was taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope in 2024. Image credit: NASA/ESA/STScI/William Blair, JHU/Joseph DePasquale, STScI.
In 1054, astounded Chinese astronomers witnessed a remarkably bright nova, the second brightest object in the night sky after the moon, visible even during the daytime for a remarkable 23 days. Observations of this supernova were also documented by Japanese, Arabian, and Native American astronomers.
Today, the luminous Crab Nebula, also known as Messier 1, M1, NGC 1952, or Taurus A, occupies the position of that brilliant star, situated approximately 6,500 light-years away in the constellation Taurus.
This nebula’s brightness makes it visible even through amateur telescopes, making it a popular object for stargazers.
Initially identified in 1731 by the English physicist and astronomer John Beavis, the Crab Nebula was later rediscovered in 1758 by French astronomer Charles Messier.
The name “Crab Nebula” derives from its resemblance in an 1844 painting by Irish astronomer Lord Rose.
At its center lies the remnant core of the original star, known as the Crab Pulsar (PSR B0531+21).
“We often perceive the sky as a static body,” remarked Dr. William Blair, an astronomer at Johns Hopkins University. “However, the enduring journey of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has shown us that the Crab Nebula continues to evolve and expand from the explosion that occurred nearly 1,000 years ago.”
In the latest images, Hubble revealed the nebula’s intricate filament structure, demonstrating substantial outward movement over a 25-year period at an astonishing rate of 5.6 million kilometers per hour (3.4 million miles per hour).
“Hubble possesses the unique longevity and resolution necessary to capture these intricate changes,” the astronomers noted.
To facilitate comparisons with new images, Hubble’s 1999 image of the Crab Nebula has undergone reprocessing.
“The color variations observed in both Hubble images signal changes in the gas’s local temperature, density, and chemical composition.”
“Even after extensive work with Hubble, I’m continually amazed by the detailed structure and improved resolution revealed by Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) compared to 25 years ago,” Dr. Blair commented.
“WFC3 was installed in 2009, marking the last time Hubble’s instrument was upgraded by astronauts.”
“The filaments at the edges of the nebula seem to be moving more rapidly than those at the center and appear to be expanding outward instead of stretching over time.”
This phenomenon is attributed to the pulsar’s nature as a pulsar wind nebula, driven by synchrotron radiation generated from interactions between the pulsar’s magnetic field and the surrounding nebula material.
In contrast, other notable supernova remnants typically expand in a manner influenced by shock waves from the initial explosion, which erode the outer shell of gas ejected by the dying star.
The new high-resolution observations from Hubble also offer deeper insights into the Crab Nebula’s three-dimensional structure, challenging to assess from two-dimensional images.
In an intriguing observation, shadows of some filaments are reflected in the haze of synchrotron radiation within the nebula.
Interestingly, some bright filaments in the latest Hubble images do not display shadows, suggesting they are located behind the nebula.
“The true significance of Hubble’s observations of the Crab Nebula is yet to unfold,” the researchers asserted.
“Data from Hubble can be integrated with recent findings from other telescopes observing the Crab Nebula across varying wavelengths of light.”
“NASA/ESA/CSA’s James Webb Space Telescope is set to release infrared light observations of the Crab Nebula in 2024.”
Comparing Hubble’s images with modern multiwavelength observations will provide scientists with a comprehensive understanding of the ongoing aftermath of supernovae, continuing to intrigue astronomers long after new stars first appeared in the sky.
Find more findings published in January 2026. Astrophysical Journal.
_____
William P. Blair et al. 2026. Revisiting the Crab Nebula using HST/WFC3. APJ 997, 81; doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ae2adc
Initially recognized from a single skull unearthed in South Africa in 1952, Cystechinodon parvus has experienced considerable debate regarding its place in the evolutionary tree. Previously classified variously as a close relative of advanced cynodonts, a juvenile of another species, or even as a creature outside of this group, recent research employing computed tomography (CT) scans has reconstructed the fossil digitally. This compelling study reveals that this Triassic species is, in fact, a distinctive and more primitive cynodont than previously assumed.
Reconstruction of Cystechinodon parvus. Image credit: Morgan Hopp.
“Cynodontia Dr. Erin Rand and her colleagues from the University of the Witwatersrand highlight that it is one of six primary subclades of therapsids that emerged during the Late Permian, significantly contributing to the diverse tetrapod fauna of the Triassic period.
This group encompasses mammals, including both non-mammalian cynodonts and true mammals, playing a pivotal role in understanding the origins of mammals.”
“The major Triassic diversification of cynodonts is represented by eucynodonts, which are divided into two monophyletic subclades: Cynognathia and Probainognathia.”
The recent study revisited human skull analysis of Cystechinodon parvus, a type of cynodont inhabiting the middle Triassic period, approximately 247 to 237 million years ago.
This specimen measures just 5.72 cm in length and was discovered in 1952 at Louisperdokop, situated west of Maletswai in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
Through advanced CT imaging, researchers examined the fossil, uncovering detailed features of the skull, jaw, and internal anatomy.
The analysis places Cystechinodon parvus among basal, non-eucynodont cynodonts, diverging from more advanced eucynodont groups.
This fossil displays a unique combination of anatomical traits: a significantly enlarged vestibule in the inner ear, a small and narrow parietal foramen, a relatively simple maxillary canal, and the absence of a carotid foramen.
These characteristics support the classification of Cystechinodon parvus as a separate genus and species, indicating that it likely led an underground lifestyle.
Specifically, the enhanced vestibule of the inner ear suggests heightened sensitivity to low-frequency sounds, a feature commonly associated with modern burrowing animals.
Consequently, researchers concluded that Cystechinodon parvus was likely an obligate burrowing species.
“After a century of debate regarding the classification of Cystechinodon parvus, our findings provide significant support for its recognition as a true clade of non-mammalian cynodonts,” the researchers stated.
“The evidence from our study firmly establishes Cystechinodon parvus as a valid taxon of basal non-eucynodont Cynodontia (specifically, the non-eucynodont epicynodonts).”
“Although the specimen represents a developmental range from subadult to adult, its classification is substantiated by a midline-opening secondary palate.”
“Ultimately, its unique inner ear and endocast anatomy further confirm that Cystechinodon parvus was a distinct fossil animal.”
“Cystechinodon parvus has been reconstructed as the basal lineage of southern African cynodonts that survived the end-Permian mass extinction and continued as a relict fauna into the early Middle Triassic,” the researchers concluded.
For more detailed insights, refer to their published paper in the Anatomical Records this month.
_____
Erin S. Rand and colleagues, Re-description of Triassic cynodonts Cystechinodon parvus and reassessment of its phylogeny. Anatomical Records, published online on March 19, 2026. doi: 10.1002/ar.70179
This optimized content maintains the HTML structure while improving SEO with targeted keywords and clearer subheadings.
Credit: Sebnem Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Recent scientific discussions have centered on the unexpected decline of Antarctic sea ice, which was previously considered resistant to climate change. Research indicates that robust winds have stirred warmer deep ocean water, disrupting the protective layer above the ice, leading to its accelerated melt.
While Arctic sea ice has seen a dramatic decrease of approximately 40% over four decades, Antarctic sea ice had shown slight expansion until recent trends reversed this. Since 2015, the extent of sea ice has shifted from record highs to remarkable lows, akin to the area of Greenland.
According to a study conducted by Antarctic researchers, rising temperatures are primary contributors to this melting. Further investigations reveal that ocean warming has played a pivotal role in this significant ‘regime shift’.
As stated by Simon Georgie from the National Marine Center in Southampton, UK, “A thorough analysis reveals a convincing sequence of events where oceans have significantly impacted ice melting, particularly starting in 2016.”
The circumpolar deep water, a warm, salty ocean body, flows southward from tropical regions, encircling Antarctica at depths under 200 meters. Two decades of temperature and salinity data suggest that this warm water is gradually surfacing, contributing to sea ice melt.
Antarctica is flanked by intense winds and storms in the “Roaring 40s,” “Roaring 50s,” and “Screaming 60s.” Climate change is shifting these storm paths southward, increasing precipitation in sea ice regions. Earl Wilson and colleagues from Stanford University highlight that additional precipitation formed a fresh water layer on the surface, temporarily insulating the sea ice from the warmer waters below.
However, these southward-moving storms bring strong winds that push surface water and ice forward. The Earth’s rotation causes this water to disperse at a right angle to the wind direction, facilitating a vortex comparable to the Weddell Sea circulation. As surface water shifts away, deep water replaces it, promoting further ice melt.
From 2014 to 2016, the upwelling of deep water began to outweigh the insulated layer of fresh water created by precipitation. This was evidenced in a simple computer model that mimicked real-world ice expansion and contraction based on observed temperature and salinity changes.
“Indications suggest a continued decline in sea ice,” Wilson remarks. “Although precipitation may reduce deep-sea heat temporarily, that heat remains a factor. A sudden change in conditions could unleash it back into the environment.”
A follow-up study indicates this reversal was instigated by a sequence of storms. Theo Spira and his team at the Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany found that the intrusion of warmer deep waters, coupled with winter water effects, is exacerbated by increasingly warmer global temperatures.
This warming causes deep water expansion, reducing winter water thickness, and has resulted in flooding of deeper waters over time. Since 2015 and 2016, strong winds have exacerbated these conditions, without allowing the lamellar structure to stabilize.
Importantly, while wind patterns may be a natural phenomenon, global warming has set the stage for these changes, as noted by Spira, emphasizing that the ocean’s reactions to these winds might mitigate the rapid ice decline.
Although melting sea ice will not directly contribute to rising sea levels, it poses risks to species such as krill and penguins that rely on this ice for habitat. Additionally, if sea ice retreats near significant ice shelves, it may disrupt global ocean currents, including the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation critical for maintaining Europe’s climate.
“The reduction of sea ice formation in these areas could lead to diminishing bottom water and decrease the meridional overturning circulation,” explains Wilson, while acknowledging that freshwater from glacier melt has a more pronounced impact on these dynamics.
Reconstructed Neanderthal Man and Woman at Neanderthal Museum in Mettmann, Germany
AP Photo/Martin Meissner/Alamy
Neanderthal DNA analysis has significantly advanced our understanding of the challenging eras leading to the extinction of these ancient humans.
As climate cooled, Neanderthal populations diminished, ultimately restricting them to southwestern France. With a subsequent warming trend, these ancient humans began to expand their range. However, due to a drastic reduction in genetic diversity, even widespread populations exhibited similar DNA profiles.
This scenario—a small, isolated population with limited genetic variability—likely contributed to their extinction.
Having inhabited Europe and Asia for hundreds of thousands of years, Neanderthals vanished from the archaeological record around 40,000 years ago. Previous DNA studies indicate significant genetic changes occurred as their populations dwindled, especially among late Neanderthals from approximately 60,000 years ago, who displayed genetic similarities distinct from their earlier counterparts. “There must have been some population turnover towards the end of Neanderthal history,” states Cosimo Posth from the University of Tübingen, Germany.
To examine these changes, Posth and his team sequenced DNA from 10 Neanderthals across six locations in Belgium, France, Germany, and Serbia. They focused on the mitochondrial DNA inherited from mothers and compared it to 49 previously sequenced genomes.
The findings revealed that nearly all Neanderthals who lived between 60,000 and 40,000 years ago belonged to a single lineage that emerged around 65,000 years ago, with no traces of older lineages. “This strongly indicates that a population turnover occurred,” affirms Posth.
Additionally, the research team analyzed a database of Neanderthal remains, noting a significant geographic contraction in population density towards southwestern Europe from 80,000 to 70,000 years ago, especially concentrated in southwestern France. “This was likely triggered by climate change,” explains Posth. “Around 75,000 years ago, a major ice age commenced, prompting the Neanderthals to retreat further into southwestern Europe.”
Entrance to Pešturina Cave in Serbia, site of notable Neanderthal discoveries
Luc Doyon and Dušan Mihailović
The emerging lineage likely originated in southwestern France, expanding after the warming climate of over 60,000 years ago. However, despite this geographic expansion, the overall population size did not significantly increase.
One remarkable exception is an individual named Thorin, discovered in Mandolin Cave, France. At approximately 50,000 years old, Thorin’s DNA indicates strong ties to more ancient lineages, revealing that some genetic lines likely survived the previous population decline. Posth notes that Thorin is “the only one who doesn’t fit into the established narrative.”
The ability to trace Neanderthal migrations enriches our understanding of their history, according to Tarshika Vimala, who researched Thorin at the University of California, Berkeley.
Vimala also highlighted previous findings that confirmed fluctuations in Neanderthal populations, leading to the loss of specific lineages. A 2021 study suggested that population replacement occurred roughly 100,000 years ago, possibly as a response to climate changes.
Neanderthals’ pattern of living in small, isolated bands may have heightened their extinction risk. Vimala estimates their group sizes ranged between 3 and 60 individuals. Prof. Poss remarked that this could have allowed harmful genetic variations to develop, increasing the vulnerability of each population to random events.
Discovery Tour: Archeology, Human Origins, and Paleontology
New Scientist frequently explores remarkable sites globally that have reshaped our understanding of species and early civilization. Discover these locations and their significance.
CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) physicists, through the LHCb experiment, have unveiled a groundbreaking deuteron-like particle known as Ξcc⁺. This remarkable particle, composed of two charm quarks and one down quark, offers scientists a novel means to explore the formidable forces binding the fundamental constituents of matter.
Artist’s impression of the double charm baryon Ξcc⁺ containing two charm quarks and one down quark. Image credit: CERN.
Quarks, the fundamental building blocks of matter, exist in six distinct flavors: up, down, charm, strange, top, and bottom.
Typically, quarks combine in pairs or groups of three to form mesons and baryons. While protons are stable, most hadrons (mesons and baryons) are fleeting, vanishing almost immediately upon creation, making detection a challenge.
To facilitate their production, high-energy particles are collided within machines like the LHC.
These unstable hadrons decay rapidly, yet the resultant more stable particles can be detected, enabling scientists to infer the properties of the original particles.
With this discovery, the total count of hadrons identified in LHC experiments has risen to 80.
“This marks the first new particle identified following the LHCb detector upgrades completed in 2023, and it is the second baryon discovered that features two heavy quarks, echoing the initial observation made nearly a decade ago,” stated LHCb spokesperson Dr. Vincenzo Vagnoni.
“The implications of this result will aid theorists in testing quantum chromodynamics models, enhancing our understanding of strong forces that unify quarks to form conventional baryons and mesons, as well as more exotic structures like tetraquarks and pentaquarks.”
In 2017, the LHCb team reported a similar particle containing two charm quarks and an up quark, which differs from the newly discovered particle solely by having a down quark.
Despite their similarities, the predicted lifetimes for the new particles are up to six times shorter than their counterparts due to intricate quantum effects, complicating their observation.
By scrutinizing data from proton-proton collisions captured by the LHCb detector during the LHC’s third operation phase, physicists confirmed a new baryon with a statistical significance of 7 sigma, surpassing the 5 sigma threshold needed for a discovery claim.
“This significant milestone exemplifies how LHCb’s unique capabilities contribute to its success,” remarked CERN Director-General Mark Thomson.
“This highlights the direct link between experimental upgrades at CERN and the new discoveries, paving the way for the pioneering science anticipated from the High-Luminosity LHC.”
“These accomplishments were made possible due to the extraordinary performance of CERN’s accelerator complex and the unwavering commitment of the scientists involved in the LHCb experiment.”
Stunning Close-Ups of Triangular Galaxies Captured by ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) Illuminate the Gas and Dust That Fuel Star Birth and Galaxy Evolution.
This VLT/MUSE image showcases the Triangulum Galaxy, a spiral galaxy approximately 3 million light-years away in the constellation Triangulum. Image credit: ESO / Feltre et al.
The Triangulum Galaxy, also referred to as Messier 33 or NGC 598, is a spiral galaxy located roughly 3 million light-years from Earth.
Visible as a faint haze in the Triangulum constellation under optimal dark sky conditions, this galaxy has long captivated astronomers.
It stands as one of the most significant members of the Local Group, a gravitationally bound assembly of over 50 galaxies, including the Milky Way and Andromeda. Though third largest in the group, it is the smallest spiral galaxy in this collection.
Spanning about 60,000 light-years, the Triangulum Galaxy is substantially smaller than Andromeda, which measures around 200,000 light-years, and the Milky Way, estimated at 100,000 light-years in diameter.
Dr. Anna Feltre and her colleagues from the INAF Astrophysical Observatory in Arcetri emphasized, “Stars do not exist in isolation; they thrive in rich, complex environments where they actively form.”
“Investigating these cosmic interactions enhances our understanding of star formation and the influence of their radiation on surrounding matter, which is crucial for unraveling how galaxies evolve,” they added.
In their research, astronomers utilized data collected by the VLT’s Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE).
“MUSE’s unique capability allows it to disperse light into a spectrum of colors, enabling us to analyze the chemical makeup of the interstellar medium across the entire field,” the team elaborated.
The vivid colors in the images signify various elements: blue, green, and red represent oxygen, hydrogen, and sulfur, respectively.
“Thanks to MUSE, we have mapped the distribution and motion of numerous elements, crucial for understanding the connections between stars and their environments.”
“These cosmic interactions create a visually stunning and dynamic landscape, revealing that star birthplaces are more intricate and beautiful than we ever envisioned,” concluded Dr. Feltre.
For in-depth insights, refer to the team’s paper published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
_____
A. Feltre et al. 2026. M3D: Mosaicking M33 using the MUSE datacube. I. Elucidating the Diversity of the H II Region of M33 Using MUSE. A&A 706, A367; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202557122
Discover the Semi-completed Skull of an Adult Edmontosaurus – A captivating snapshot from the Late Cretaceous period, preserved at the Montana State Museum of the Rockies, showcases a dramatic encounter where a Tyrannosaurus rex attacks a duck-billed dinosaur.
A striking scene of a Tyrannosaurus rex attacking an adult Edmontosaurus. Image credit: Jen Hall.
This damaged Edmontosaurus skull was unearthed in 2005 within the Hell Creek Formation of eastern Montana.
Now housed in the Museum of the Rockies’ paleontology collection, this fossil offers a remarkable detail: the interior of the skull is filled with Tyrannosaurus teeth.
According to Taia Winberg-Henzler, a doctoral student from the University of Alberta, “While bite marks on fossils are somewhat common, discovering embedded teeth is exceptionally rare.”
“Analyzing these teeth, especially those lodged in a skull, allows us to identify the bitten and the biter,” she explains.
“This phenomenon enables us to envision the harrowing encounter involving this Edmontosaurus. It’s akin to being a detective at a prehistoric crime scene.”
Comparative analysis of the embedded teeth with all carnivorous species from the Hell Creek Formation revealed a match with the Tyrannosaurus. A CT scan of the skull provided deeper insights into this event.
“Fossils like this one are particularly fascinating because they capture the behavior of a Tyrannosaurus rex attacking this herbivore,” states John Scannella, the curator of paleontology at the Museum of the Rockies.
“With no signs of healing around the embedded Tyrannosaurus teeth, it suggests that the Edmontosaurus may have been deceased at the time of the attack or succumbed to its injuries.”
Based on the way the teeth are embedded in the nose of the Edmontosaurus, “This indicates what often transpires when predators kill their prey,” Winberg-Henzler notes.
“The force required to embed these teeth into the bone also signifies the use of lethal strength.”
“To me, this paints a chilling picture of the final moments for this Edmontosaurus,” she adds.
“The typical feeding habits of the Tyrannosaurus—considered one of the largest carnivores to ever roam the Earth—have sparked extensive research and debate over the years,” Dr. Scannella remarks.
“Insights gained from the teeth embedded within the Edmontosaurus skull allow for a deeper understanding of Tyrannosaurus behavior.”
For detailed findings, refer to the published study in the online journal PeerJ.
_____
TCA Winberg-Henzler and JB Scannella. 2026. Behavioral Effects of Tyrannosaurus Teeth and Associated Tooth Marks Embedded in an Articulated Skull of Edmontosaurus from the Hell Creek Formation in Montana. PeerJ 14: e20796; doi: 10.7717/peerj.20796
Have you ever received an email and suspected it was crafted by AI rather than a human touch? Mathematicians have been wrestling with similar concerns for decades, and they have crucial insights to share.
This journey began in 1976 when Kenneth Appel and Wolfgang Haken published their proof of the four-color theorem. This theorem demonstrates that you can color a map with just four colors such that no two adjacent areas are the same shade. Although the theorem seems straightforward, mathematicians anticipated elegant proofs that would uncover deeper mathematical principles. Instead, they encountered 60,000 lines of complex computer code. Appel and Haken programmed a machine to systematically analyze nearly 2,000 different maps representing various configurations.
Initially, there was a feeling that something essential was lacking. However, as the years passed, mathematicians began to accept this approach and effectively resolved many philosophical objections. Consequently, when the latest wave of AI technology emerged, mathematics was ready to embrace it.
As reported, AI is rapidly evolving, pleasantly surprising many mathematicians. While Appel and Haken meticulously wrote the code, we now have large language models capable of verifying whether this code—and thus the proof—holds true, mitigating the risk of hallucinations commonly associated with AI technologies.
“ AI is advancing rapidly and surprising many mathematicians “
Yet outside the realm of mathematics, things are more complicated. The tech industry is rife with stories of AI failures, each carrying varying degrees of consequences. Recently, US research firm Gartner forecasted that half of the companies that replaced human roles with AI will reinstate those positions by year’s end.
While life is not as predictable as mathematics, the lessons learned by mathematicians suggest that AI has potential if we can find practical confidence and philosophical approval in its outcomes. It may take time for other fields to reach this understanding.
Microscopic View of Bacterial Colonies: Blue Colonies Represent Synthetic Genomes, While White Colonies Show Survivors of Mitomycin C Treatment.
Credit: Nasaira Assad-Garcia
Researchers have successfully developed living synthetic cells by transplanting complete genomes into deceased bacteria, effectively bringing these microorganisms back to life. This groundbreaking advancement has the potential to revolutionize synthetic biology, allowing for the engineering of living organisms to produce sustainable fuels, pharmaceuticals, and novel materials.
Synthetic biology involves modifying biological systems to introduce new functionalities or create entirely new systems. For instance, scientists can rewrite yeast DNA so that these organisms can synthesize desired chemicals. In 2010, groundbreaking work saw researchers synthesizing bacterial genomes and deploying them into living cells, birthing what they termed as the first synthetic cells.
However, challenges arose; determining whether the cells were genuinely driven by the synthetic genome rather than the original was complex. This issue stemmed from bacteria’s ability to absorb external genetic material via horizontal gene transfer.
To overcome this, John Glass and colleagues at the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) in La Jolla, California, first exterminated the host cell—or at least its genome.
The team employed a chemical called mitomycin C, commonly used in chemotherapy to damage DNA, and tested it on simple bacterial cells of mycoplasma capricolum.
The researchers noted, “The cells remain healthy but are unable to reproduce and their genomes are non-functional, leaving them destined for death or already deceased,” according to Zumra Seidel, also from JCVI.
Next, they introduced a synthetic variant of another bacterial genome from Mycoplasma mycoides into the dead cells through whole-genome transplantation.
Surprisingly, some bacteria began to grow and replicate normally, with genetic tests confirming the presence of synthetic genomes. The team proudly claimed to have engineered the first living synthetic bacterial cells derived from non-living components, dubbing them “zombie cells” due to their revival post-mortem.
“Introducing a genome to a cell devoid of one restores its functionality,” explained Glass.
Kate Adamara from the University of Minnesota commended this research as a pivotal technological breakthrough. “They are embedding genomic information into a non-living recipient with no assistance from the host’s repair systems. Essentially, they have revived that cell,” she noted. “An impressive feat!”
Furthermore, it raises questions about the definitions of life and non-life; traditionally defined by metabolism and replication, these traits are barely present in the recipient cells. “What truly constitutes life?” queried Adamara.
Team member Elizabeth Strychalski from the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Maryland, expressed hope that this discovery would encourage viewing biology as fluid processes. “By adopting an engineering perspective, we can analyze living systems and identify which processes are essential for our desired outcomes,” she stated.
This technique has thus far only been tested on mycoplasma, yet the researchers believe it serves as a proof of principle and could significantly expedite the creation of synthetic organisms that function as mini-chemical factories to produce drugs or clean up environmental pollutants.
“While we have long had the capability to assemble remarkable lengths of synthetic DNA, we lacked means to make them operational,” Strychalski remarked. “It’s akin to having a script for a Shakespearean play without the ability to perform it.”
Akos Nierges from Harvard Medical School emphasized that this research tackles a vital hurdle in synthetic biology. “This technology may lead to more predictable and reliable methods for genome transfer across various species,” he said.
Transitioning to more complex organisms like yeast and Escherichia coli could pose challenges due to their cell walls. Still, Glass remains optimistic that this technology can succeed with those genomes too.
“If effective in one organism, it’s likely to succeed in others,” he stated, with ongoing investigations into methods to remove and replace cell walls. “Provided appropriate growth conditions, Escherichia coli can regenerate new cell walls,” he added.
Concerns about biological safety in synthetic biology persist. Although the mycoplasma species examined in this study can be pathogens for goats and cattle, Nierges assured there are no anticipated increases in virulence from these modifications.
Strychalski mentioned that existing best practices in laboratories can significantly reduce the risk of pathogen leakage.
Image Credit: NASA, ESA, Dennis Bodewits (Australia)
Recently, we were fortunate to observe Comet K1 just after it fragmented into four pieces. This event could offer crucial insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system.
John Noonan and researchers from Auburn University in Alabama had initially aimed to study a different comet using the Hubble Space Telescope. However, due to the spacecraft’s limitations in high-speed orbiting, they redirected their focus to a new target—comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS). Upon directing Hubble towards K1, they were surprised to find it had already split into four distinct fragments.
“While we have observed comets break apart before, this was the first time we didn’t anticipate it occurring during our observations,” Noonan shared. “The ability to capture these images was incredibly fortunate.”
These unprecedented images of a freshly shattered comet provide invaluable data. Typically, it is challenging to predict when a comet will begin to splinter, let alone align a space telescope to capture the moment. However, the high-resolution images acquired allowed researchers to estimate that K1 began to fracture approximately a week prior to the images being taken.
Observations of Comet K1 Over Three Days
Image Credit: NASA, ESA, Dennis Bodewits (Australia)
Comets consist of primordial ice from the early solar system, yet their surfaces erode over time due to solar radiation and other cosmic effects. To uncover this primordial ice and gain insights into planetary formation, we must delve beneath the surface—a task that shattered comets facilitate.
As a comet disintegrates, it releases ice that transitions into gas, diffusing into space. “These extremely cold ice remnants are suddenly exposed to warmth for the first time in billions of years and should rapidly subliminate,” Noonan explained. Surprisingly, in the case of K1, it took about two days post-fragmentation for brightness to emerge, typically indicating sunlight interacting with sublimated gases and dust.
The reason for this unexpected delay remains unclear. Noonan and his team are currently analyzing the remaining data from K1, which is anticipated to clarify the delay in brightening and reveal the comet’s internal composition. “We are poised to embark on groundbreaking research regarding this comet and early solar system dynamics,” he stated.
Since British pop legend David Bowie posed the question in 1971, “Does life exist on Mars?”, NASA has successfully landed five rovers on the Red Planet. The Curiosity rover, which touched down in Gale Crater in 2012, uncovered rocks formed in a shallow lake approximately 3.6 billion years ago, indicating a once habitable environment. In 2021, the Perseverance rover began exploring Jezero Crater, where traces of ancient life may be found at the base of a lake dating back 3.7 billion years.
Both Curiosity and Perseverance have discovered evidence of complex carbon-containing molecules within Martian lakebed rocks. Organisms on Earth consist of similar organicmolecules, leading astrobiologists to speculate that these Martian compounds might indicate past life. However, it’s important to note that organic molecules can also arise from non-biological processes, such as interactions between gases and minerals at high temperatures. Thus, more conclusive evidence is needed to confirm the existence of ancient Martian life.
A recent study by researchers at the Center for Astrobiology in Madrid, Spain, explored whether DNA could function as a potential biomarker in Martian rocks. They posited that DNA is universal among Earth’s life forms and deemed it “the most crucial biological molecule for life.” Only life forms create this molecule. Furthermore, many conditions that degrade DNA quickly on Earth—such as the presence of water, heat, and microorganisms—are absent in the cold, dry climate of Mars.
One major obstacle in detecting ancient DNA on Mars is the planet’s surface, which is constantly bombarded by intense shock waves. Cosmic and solar radiation can rapidly degrade DNA and organic molecules. Prior research has indicated that DNA is more likely to survive radiation damage when protected within rock. Hence, the researchers aimed to examine whether Mars-like rocks could shield DNA from radiation levels equivalent to around 100 million years of exposure on the planet’s surface.
Scientists will not gain direct access to Martian lake rocks until future sample return missions, such as NASA/ESA’s Mars Sample Return or the Chinese Astronomy-3 mission, are conducted. The researchers collected samples from various rock ages formed in lakes and shallow marine environments worldwide. They specifically targeted rocks with remnants of an ancient microbial community known as microorganisms and a total organic carbon concentration similar to that of Martian rocks. The samples included 2,800-year-old lake rocks from Mexico, 541-million-year-old shallow-water rocks from Morocco, and 2.93-billion-year-old iron-rich rocks from Ontario, Canada, featuring minerals akin to those in Jezero Crater on Mars.
The team crushed the rocks, dividing them into six samples each, sealed in glass bottles. They exposed three samples to radiation levels equivalent to 136 million years on the Martian surface, while leaving the other three unexposed for comparison. DNA was extracted from each sample and examined using a technique that enables reliable identification of short DNA fragments known as nanopore sequencing. This method also generates quality scores for each DNA fragment to assess the accuracy of specific DNA sequences.
The analysis revealed that unirradiated samples contained higher quantities of DNA fragments, correlating with a greater presence of organic carbon. This suggests that the DNA originated from contemporary microbial communities residing in the rocks, while the organic carbon was derived from long-deceased microbes. Thus, the researchers inferred that modern microbes were consuming ancient organisms; the more food available, the larger the microbial populations grow. These findings support the proposition that rich organic carbon sites like ancient crater lakes are prime targets for future life-detection missions.
In irradiated samples, DNA quality diminished and fragmented due to radiation exposure. For instance, the DNA from irradiated samples of Mexican lake microorganisms exhibited quality scores that were, on average, 53% lower, with DNA reads averaging 85% shorter compared to unirradiated samples. Nevertheless, the research team managed to identify microorganisms that contributed around 2% to 9% of the DNA in the irradiated samples, despite significant degradation.
The researchers concluded that identifiable DNA fragments could persist in Martian rocks for over 100 million years. They proposed that this sensitive sequencing approach should be implemented in future Mars rovers to search for evidence of past life and evaluate the planet’s biological viability. While these results are promising for astrobiologists, challenges remain, such as the presence of toxic salts that could further degrade DNA and concerns regarding pollution from terrestrial life. The research team recommended developing stringent protocols for decontaminating Martian rock samples and addressing external contamination.
Sure! Here’s the rewritten content, optimized for SEO while maintaining the HTML structure:
API Key Leaks: A Major Threat to Business Security
Vertigo3d/Getty Images
Critical security credentials, including API keys, are mistakenly exposed on thousands of websites, putting organizations—ranging from small startups to large banks and healthcare providers—at significant risk.
These leaks could grant unauthorized users access to sensitive data, like RSA private keys, enabling attackers to impersonate servers, decrypt private communications, and potentially seize complete control over a company’s digital infrastructure. “This is a pressing issue impacting entities of all sizes,” states Nurula Demir from Stanford University, California.
Demir and colleagues conducted an analysis of 10 million web pages to identify the extent of exposed API credentials. API keys facilitate seamless communication between different software systems and serve as access tokens for cloud platforms, payment processing, and messaging services.
Through their web scans, the researchers validated 1,748 exposed credentials from 14 leading service providers, including Amazon Web Services, Stripe, GitHub, and OpenAI, found across approximately 10,000 compromised websites.
The accountability for these vulnerabilities lies not with the service providers, but with the developers and operators who misconfigured their websites. While the specific companies affected were not named, they reportedly include “global systemically important financial institutions,” firmware developers, and major hosting platforms.
“We have alerted all entities concerning identified exposures,” said DeMille. Approximately half of the organizations remedied their exposed API keys within two weeks; however, some did not respond.
On average, leaked credentials remain accessible for 12 months, with some lasting as long as five years. The majority (around 84%) of compromised credentials were located within the JavaScript environment, likely due to developers improperly using bundler tools for code packaging.
The remaining 16% originated from third-party resources, where misconfigured external plugins or scripts inadvertently exposed sensitive credentials online.
“None of these developers intended for their systems to be insecure,” explains Katie Paxton-Fear from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. Issues arose due to programming intricacies, leading to accidental exposure. “They followed best practices, but vulnerabilities emerged during the development process,” she adds.
Leaking API keys is a “significant concern in modern software development,” notes Nick Nikiforakis from Stony Brook University, New York. “API keys replace user credentials, granting authorization without direct authentication. However, their misconfiguration can lead to serious security threats.”
DeMille emphasizes shared responsibility in addressing these vulnerabilities. “Developers must exercise caution in using API credentials,” he advises, alongside ensuring proper configuration of their development environments. He further suggests website-building tool creators should design systems to automatically hide private keys by default, rather than relying on developers to manage these protections manually, and that hosting companies should proactively monitor for exposed keys and disable them immediately.
Topic:
This version improves keyword density and enhances clarity while keeping HTML formatting intact.
A spectacular fireball was observed over southeast Texas on Saturday afternoon, confirmed by NASA as a meteor likely breaking apart over the Houston area.
Residents in the greater Houston area reported sightings, including video from a doorbell camera and dashcam footage taken during a Little League baseball game, showing flaming balls of light traversing a clear blue sky. The meteor event was first noticed at 4:40 p.m. local time in Stagecoach, northwest Houston, according to NASA.
NASA reported that “it moved southeast at 35,000 miles per hour and broke apart 47 miles above Bummel, just west of Cypress Station.” The agency noted in a post on X.
Initial estimates suggest that the meteorite was approximately 3 feet in diameter and weighed around 1 ton. As it entered Earth’s atmosphere, the pressure waves generated a sonic boom audible in parts of the area.
Houston resident Shelley James reported that debris from the meteorite may have crashed through her home on Saturday afternoon. She was in the bathroom when loud thuds resonated from her daughter’s room.
“I went in to check and found a hole; the floor was caved in,” she described.
Next to her daughter’s bed, James discovered what she called a “big black rock.”
“I thought, ‘What is this?'” she recalled. “I called my grandson and asked, ‘Is that a meteorite?’ It was pitch black, which was the first thought that came to mind.”
While the meteorite was roughly the size of a baseball, James noted it felt heavier than one. Fortunately, despite the dramatic event, her family members were unharmed when the rock struck their home.
“It just looked like a rock. Rocks falling from the sky don’t mean anything,” James remarked.
The American Meteor Society monitors bolide events globally, recording over 140 meteor reports that Saturday, across regions in South Central and Southeast Texas, including Houston, Katy, College Station, San Antonio, and Austin.
NASA indicated that Doppler weather radar suggests a meteorite might have impacted an area of Houston between Willowbrook and Northgate Crossing.
This meteor sighting occurred just four days after another fireball was reported in northeastern Ohio and Pennsylvania. Bill Cook, head of NASA’s Meteor Environment Office, shared with NBC News that the earlier fireball likely resulted from a small asteroid weighing 7 tons and measuring about 6 feet in diameter. As the meteorite disintegrated, it released energy equivalent to 250 tons of TNT.
Preliminary data showed this previous meteor was traveling at 45,000 miles per hour before breaking apart over Valley City, Ohio. Cook illustrated that the fireball likely created several meteorites around Medina County.
While large meteors that create bright fireballs are infrequent, they do occur. Countless smaller space rocks, dust, and remnants from rockets collide with Earth daily, according to NASA. However, the majority burn up harmlessly in the atmosphere.
This revision incorporates SEO-friendly language and maintains the original HTML structure.
Geoscientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by analyzing magnetic signals in 3.5 billion-year-old rocks in Western Australia. This research reveals the oldest direct evidence of global shifts in the Earth’s outer shell, pushing the origins of plate motion back into the planet’s early history.
Hadean Earth. Image credit: Alec Brenner.
“A wide range of ages has been proposed for tectonic activity,” said Dr. Alec Brenner, a researcher from Yale University.
“Our findings confirm that tectonic plates were actively moving on Earth’s surface 3.5 billion years ago.”
This significant study focused on the Pilbara Craton in Western Australia, known for its ancient and well-preserved rock formations dating back to the Archean era, a time when Earth sustained early microbial life and endured significant asteroid impacts.
The Pilbara region hosts some of the earliest signs of life, including stromatolites and microbial rocks formed by single-celled organisms like cyanobacteria.
The research team analyzed over 900 rock samples from more than 100 sites within the Arctic Dome region.
Using an electric drill with a hollow bit and diamond teeth, they extracted cylindrical core samples while cooling them with a hand-pumped horticultural sprayer.
An instrument equipped with a compass and goniometer was inserted into the drilled holes to accurately record the orientation of the samples.
The scientists then sliced the cores into thin sections and placed them into a magnetometer capable of detecting magnetic signals 100,000 times weaker than a typical compass needle.
These samples were measured multiple times while subjected to temperatures up to 590 degrees Celsius until the magnetite mineral lost its magnetization.
“We took a significant risk; demagnetizing thousands of cores took years. But it paid off—our results exceeded our expectations!” exclaimed Dr. Brenner.
In ferromagnetic minerals, the orientation of electrons acts like a compass needle pointing towards the magnetic poles, providing clues about the rock’s geographical position relative to these poles when they formed.
By analyzing a succession of rocks spanning 30 million years, the authors observed a shift of tectonic plates in the East Pilbara Formation, moving from 53 degrees to 77 degrees latitude and rotating clockwise by over 90 degrees at rates of tens of centimeters per year.
Because the magnetic poles can reverse, it remains uncertain whether this movement took place in the northern or southern hemisphere.
Movement slowed significantly within the following 10 million years, followed by a period of relative stability.
To compare these findings with Archean sites elsewhere, the researchers analyzed the Barberton Greenstone Belt in modern-day South Africa.
Previous paleomagnetic studies have indicated that the Barberton site is near the equator and remained nearly stationary during this period, suggesting differing drift patterns between these regions.
In contemporary times, the North American and Eurasian plates are moving apart at a rate of about 2.5 cm per year.
Many questions about the timing and nature of Earth’s current plate tectonics remain unanswered, with geophysicists referring to this as the “active lid,” as opposed to earlier theories of a stagnant, sluggish, or ephemeral lid.
This research dismisses the concept of a stagnant lid but doesn’t conclusively determine which model of plate movement is most probable.
“We’re examining tectonic plate movements, which require defined boundaries between plates, contrary to the notion of a continuous, crackless lithosphere,” Brenner explained.
“Instead, the lithosphere was segmented into various parts capable of moving relative to one another.”
Additionally, Brenner and his collaborators identified the oldest known geomagnetic reversals, where a planet’s magnetic field alternates its polarity. After such a reversal, a compass needle points south instead of north.
This phenomenon is associated with dynamo action in the Earth’s core, where molten iron’s convection creates electrical currents and magnetic fields. The last known reversal occurred about 780,000 years ago.
“New evidence suggests that geomagnetic reversals were less frequent 3.5 billion years ago compared to today,” noted Roger Hu, a professor at Harvard University.
“While not definitive, it implies that the mechanisms behind these reversals may have operated differently back then.”
The findings were published in the journal Science on March 19.
_____
Alec R. Brenner et al. 2026. Relative plate motion and paleomagnetic detection of a core dynamo with a rare reversal at 3.5 Ga. Science 391 (6791): 1278-1282; doi: 10.1126/science.adw9250
A severe heatwave has engulfed much of the western United States this weekend, plunging cities and residents into sweltering conditions typically reserved for mid-summer.
An unrelenting heat wave has gripped California and the desert Southwest, with temperatures expected to soar 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit above the seasonal average. This heat will spread eastward into the central United States in the coming days, as reported by the National Weather Service.
Since Tuesday, over 150 daily temperature records and nearly 50 monthly high records have been shattered. The weather bureau indicates that temperatures could climb even higher this weekend.
California has seen significant rises in temperatures as it heads into the weekend, with Death Valley hitting a record monthly high of 105 degrees on Thursday. Projections show that triple-digit highs will persist into next week, according to the National Weather Service.
Southern Nevada has also been experiencing summer-like conditions. Las Vegas recorded 96 degrees on Saturday and is forecasted to reach 93 degrees on Sunday. In response, more than 40 cooling stations have opened across the city to assist residents in coping with the extreme heat.
“Southern Nevada is accustomed to extreme heat, but we’re facing an unprecedented heat wave months before summer,” stated Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick. The statement emphasizes that residents are not yet acclimated to such high temperatures, raising the risk of heat-related illnesses.
The Las Vegas branch of the National Weather Service is advising individuals to take necessary precautions to prevent heatstroke.
“When outdoors, remember to use sunscreen, consume light snacks, and steer clear of caffeine and alcohol,” the Bureau of Meteorology advised in a tweet.
Fort Collins, Colorado, reached a remarkable 91 degrees on Saturday, marking its highest March temperature since record-keeping began in 1893. This peak was two degrees higher than the historical April high in Fort Collins, as highlighted by the National Weather Service.
“Before 2026, the city hadn’t recorded a March high exceeding 81 degrees Fahrenheit,” stated the NWS Boulder office on X.
Denver also hit a new March record, reaching 86 degrees on Saturday. This extreme heat, combined with low humidity and strong winds, heightens the risk of wildfires across Colorado.
This week’s historic heat wave is attributed to a heat dome, a persistent ridge of high pressure that traps hot air over large areas in the western U.S., akin to a lid on a pot.
While it’s challenging to directly link specific extreme weather events to climate change, evidence shows that global warming is increasing the frequency, intensity, and duration of heat waves.
Numerous popular hiking trails in Phoenix were closed due to temperatures reaching 105 degrees on Friday and Saturday, setting a record for March. These closures were initiated earlier than usual to protect public safety.
The Phoenix Trail Thermal Safety Program, established in 2021, restricts access to local trails when a National Weather Service heat warning is active. This weekend, safeguards will be enforced at Camelback Mountain Preserve, Phoenix Mountain Preserve, and South Mountain Park and Preserve from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A heat warning remains in effect for the region until Sunday. The Maricopa County Public Health Department advises residents to stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces throughout the extreme heat event.
“Stay hydrated, limit outdoor activities during peak heat, and check on vulnerable friends and family,” public health officials recommended in a Facebook post.
Outdoor events in the Phoenix area have been adjusted due to the heat. For instance, at least 10 Major League Baseball spring training games have rescheduled their start times to after 6 p.m. local time in order to avoid the extreme afternoon temperatures typical of the Cactus League announced in a statement.
The Glendale fire department reported that approximately 30 individuals were transported to nearby hospitals for heat-related issues during the Luke Days Air Show.
“Aside from these transports, our personnel attended to many others on-site suffering from heat-related symptoms,” a spokesperson from the Glendale Fire Department communicated to NBC News via email.
On Sunday, temperatures across the Southwest will hover between the 90s and 100 degrees, with the 80s expected in parts of Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. The Great Plains will experience highs ranging from the 70s to the 90s, according to the National Weather Service.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
