Discovering the Oldest Vertebrates: Unveiling Four Camera-Shaped Eyes

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A groundbreaking study by paleontologists at Yunnan University reveals that two Myrodonidae fish species, which thrived in what is now China approximately 518 million years ago during the Cambrian period, possessed a unique vision system featuring two large lateral eyes alongside two smaller central eyes.

An artist’s reconstruction of the four-eyed Myllokunmingiid that navigated the ancient world. Image credit: Xiangtong Lei and Sihang Zhang.

This primitive jawless fish, known as Myllokunmingiid, existed during the Cambrian period, a time marked by rapid evolutionary advancements in body structures and sensory systems as a response to increased predation.

Considered the oldest known vertebrates, these fascinating creatures challenge our understanding of early vision.

In a recent study, Professor Peiyun Cong and colleagues investigated a newly discovered fossil of Myrocunminidae, expertly preserved at the renowned Sumjiang Fossil Bed in southern China.

“These fossils maintain remarkable detail in their eye structures,” stated Professor Cong.

“Initially, we focused on the large eye to outline its anatomy and were astonished to discover two fully functional small eyes nestled between them. The excitement of this finding was immense.”

Modern vertebrates primarily rely on two eyes for vision.

The pineal gland, a brain structure, plays a crucial role in sleep regulation by producing melatonin in response to light exposure.

Interestingly, some fish, amphibians, and reptiles retain the ability to detect light through what is commonly referred to as a “third eye.”

The discovery of two Myrocunminidae provides evidence that early vertebrates possessed a well-developed pair of image-forming eyes, rather than a simple light sensor.

“Our findings suggest that the pineal gland originated as an imaging eye,” remarked Professor Cong.

“Over time, these structures diminished in size, lost their vision capabilities, and assumed their modern function in sleep regulation.”

Using a high-powered microscope, researchers identified melanosomes—pigment-containing organelles crucial for vision—across all four Myrocunminidae orders.

Chemical analyses confirmed the presence of melanin, the same pigment utilized in contemporary vertebrate vision.

Circular formations resembling lenses indicate that these eyes had the capacity to detect light and form images, offering direct evidence of an advanced visual system in early vertebrates.

Professor Sarah Gabot from the University of Leicester emphasized, “Fossilized eyes are extremely rare. It’s remarkable that delicate structures like eyes can survive hundreds of millions of years.”

“However, under optimal conditions, such preservation is achievable, unveiling crucial insights into how extinct species perceived their environment.”

“We speculated that these Chinese fossil eyes might be remarkably preserved, demonstrating light-absorbing pigments in their retinas and lenses, revealing the visual acuity of our early ancestors.”

The Cambrian seas presented perilous conditions, with emerging large predators threatening the small, vulnerable early vertebrates.

Dr. Jacob Binther, a paleontologist at the University of Bristol, noted, “In such an environment, having four eyes may have provided these organisms with a broader field of vision essential for evading predators.”

This discovery elucidates long-held questions about the origin of the pineal gland, offering the oldest known evidence of a camera-like eye in the fossil record.

“This finding reshapes our understanding of vertebrate evolutionary history,” stated Dr. Binther.

“It turns out our ancestors were visually sophisticated beings capable of surviving in a hazardous world.”

The study also prompts a reevaluation of the established notion of the vertebrate “third eye.”

“These early vertebrates possessed not only a third eye, but intriguingly, a fourth eye as well,” concluded Dr. Binther.

This discovery is detailed in a paper published in the journal Nature on January 21, 2026.

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X Ray others. 2026. Four camera-shaped eyes found in the earliest Cambrian vertebrates. Nature 650, 150-155; doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09966-0

Source: www.sci.news

European Ants Successfully Clone Another Species: Insights from Sciworthy

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

When discussing evolutionary biology, we often assume that the offspring of organisms belong to the same species. However, the European ant Messol Iberix challenges this notion. Recent studies in evolutionary ecology have uncovered that certain ants in the genus Messer are likely descended from two different species, leading to the term hybrids.

A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of Montpellier in France revealed that European ant queens are capable of producing worker ants through cloning hybrids from other ant species. This remarkable finding positions the European ant as the first known animal to spontaneously generate offspring from a different species, a process termed Heterogeneous parity, challenging preconceived notions in reproductive biology.

By investigating the population genetics of Messer ants and analyzing single DNA nucleotides at specific genomic locations, scientists discovered that all worker ants within the European ant species are hybrids. Genetic sequencing has confirmed that these worker ants inherit maternal genes from European ants and paternal genes from their closely related harvester ants, identified as messerstructor. The ecological implications of this hybridization are significant, especially since these two species typically do not coexist in Europe, raising questions about the origins of these hybrids.

To investigate further, researchers analyzed samples from wild European ant colonies. From 132 males across 26 colonies, they observed that 44% exhibited hairiness—a trait indicative of European ants—while the remaining 56% appeared hairless, typical of harvester ants. Through DNA and protein sequence analyses, they confirmed these physical differences stemmed from a mix of both European and harvester ant species, which diverged over 5 million years ago.

Interestingly, European ant queens engage in polygamy, mating with both European and harvester ant males. This dynamic means that to produce worker ants, European ant queens rely on sperm from harvester males, as sperm from European males produces only queens. Consequently, all worker ants are hybrids, meaning the survival of these colonies is dependent on the presence of male harvesters.

To solidify their hypotheses, researchers sequenced the mitochondrial genome, which is exclusively inherited from mother ants. Analyzing 286 eggs from five laboratory colonies, they discovered that 9% of the eggs laid by queens solely contained harvester ant DNA, supporting the idea that European ant queens can produce offspring without their own genetic material. This unique phenomenon, where males serve as the sole source of genetic inheritance, is termed androclonality or androgen.

Researchers believe that millions of years ago, when both species thrived in close proximity, European ant queens acquired sperm from wild harvester ant colonies to produce workers. As harvester ant populations declined in Europe, these queens adapted by storing sperm and began directly cloning males through their eggs, establishing a unique clonal lineage of male harvester ants that persists today.

The study indicated that a majority of hybrid workers within the colonies observed were fathered by male clones, although a small fraction came from male harvester ants. The genetic diversity among cloned males was notably lower than that found in wild males. Researchers noted distinct physical differences, akin to the contrast between domesticated cats and their wild counterparts, with cloned harvesters exhibiting reduced body hair compared to their wild relatives. This led the researchers to propose that these male clones should be classified as a domesticated variant of the harvester ant species.

While artificial cloning is generally recognized in scientific circles, the natural cloning adaptation observed in European ant queens highlights a fascinating survival strategy. Although their ability to clone males from another species has been established, the cellular and genetic mechanisms underlying this process remain poorly understood. Unraveling the evolutionary origins of this behavior and its implications for other species presents an intriguing challenge for the research team in France.

For more insights on this topic, check out the article: here.

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Source: sciworthy.com

Weekly Reading Recommendation: Explore ‘The Laws of Thought’ by Tom Griffiths

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Image Credit: Dwight Ellefsen/FPG/Archive

Laws of Thinking
By Tom Griffiths, William Collins (UK) / Macmillan (USA)

For nearly seven decades, cognitive researchers have debated the nature of intelligence. On one side is computationalism, which posits that intelligence can best be understood through rules, symbols, and logic represented in equations. The opposing view, connectionism, suggests that intelligence arises from interconnected networks mimicking brain neurons, where no single element is intelligent, but the system collectively exhibits intelligence.

This ongoing intellectual conflict influences fields ranging from cognitive science to the artificial intelligence (AI) that is currently reshaping the global economy. This month, we delve into two impactful books on the subject. Notably, Laws of Thought: Exploring a Mathematical Theory of Mind stands out. In this work, Princeton University professor Tom Griffiths investigates the long-standing efforts to formalize thinking within mathematical laws, elucidating the foundations of modern AI and its future trajectory.

Griffiths organizes his narrative around three competing mathematical approaches to formalizing thought: rules and symbols, neural networks, and probabilistic methods. The first approach treats cognitive processes as problem-solving endeavors, breaking tasks into smaller goals and adhering to formal methodologies. Although this reinforced early AI systems, it also illustrated why human common sense is challenging to codify, as the requisite rules quickly expand into millions of entries.

Neural networks forgo specific rules, opting instead for learning from examples, whereby simple units interact to yield complex behaviors. This mirrors human cognition to some extent. The introduction of probability and statistics adds another layer: uncertainty. The human mind operates without perfect information, adeptly weighing evidence and updating beliefs.

According to Griffiths, a comprehensive understanding of intelligence—whether human or machine—requires an integration of all three frameworks. By utilizing archival research and interviews with leading scholars, he outlines humanity’s historical attempts to quantify mental processes through mathematics, resulting in a detailed but engaging narrative.

In contrast, neuroscientists Gaurav Suri and Jay McClelland present a different perspective in Emergent Mind: How Intelligence Emerges in Humans and Machines. They argue that the mind emerges as a byproduct of an interacting network of neurons—biological or artificial—that fosters thoughts, emotions, and decision-making, building on McClelland’s foundation in connectionism.

These two titles provide fascinating yet contradictory insights into the generative AI revolution. For Griffiths, large-scale language models (LLMs) validate his hybrid perspective; they demonstrate remarkable capabilities, but their occasional errors necessitate a symbolic layer for correction. Conversely, Suri and McClelland view LLMs as a validation of their claims, highlighting the impressive inferencing accomplished purely through neural networks.

The piece focuses more on its content than on mere subject matter; its tone fluctuates between informal asides and awkward phrasing. Explaining mathematics and science can be inherently challenging, and while neither book is entirely comprehensible, Griffiths’ Laws of Thinking offers a clearer narrative as it discusses the historical context of AI.

The authors of Emergent Mind assert that there are no inherent limitations to developing autonomous, goal-driven AI using solely neural networks, presenting a provocative viewpoint that may feel somewhat disconnected from practical realities.

Griffiths’ book, however, equips readers with a solid understanding of the linguistic frameworks necessary to articulate our thoughts, illuminating why the future of intelligence consists of overlapping complexities.

Does this evolving landscape signal a potential reconciliation between these two schools of thought?

Recommended Reads on Machine Intelligence

Algorithm for Survival

Written by Brian Christian and Tom Griffith

This engaging, non-technical book offers insights into how computational ideas influence daily decision-making, illustrating how algorithmic strategies can enhance human judgment. Co-authored by Griffiths, it remains relevant even in the post-ChatGPT era.

AI Restart
Building Reliable Artificial Intelligence
Written by Gary Marcus and Ernest Davis

This book argues that while contemporary neural networks are effective, they can be fragile. It advocates for a hybrid model that merges the strengths of both the connectionist and symbolic approaches discussed in Griffiths’ analysis.

Chris Stokel Walker – I am a technology writer based in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Boost Your Spirits with Fun Math Strategies for Feeling Unpopular

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

New Scientist: Insightful articles on science, technology, health, and environment. — Orlando Gili/Millennium Images

Your friend might have a larger circle of friends than you do, but don’t take it personally; it’s all about network structure.

Friendship dynamics can be illustrated through networks. By representing each person as a node and drawing lines between friends, you can visualize social connections effectively. This approach helps articulate the bonds of friendship in both offline and online environments.

Such networks enable examination of intriguing questions, like the concept of degrees of separation. For instance, if someone is a friend of your friend, they are two degrees separated from you, while their friends fall into the three-degree category.

How many connections must you traverse to link two individuals? Connections often form clusters. For example, consider a distinct group of friends, like those from your neighborhood, workplace, or a hobbyist club like astrophotography. It’s likely that many individuals within this group are interconnected as friends, thereby increasing your direct friendship circle.

However, long-distance connections exist as well. A long-lost friend living abroad may belong to a separate circle of friends, all passionate about soap carving. These individuals represent your second-degree connections, regardless of your unfamiliarity.

This concept relates to the well-known theory of six degrees of separation. By exploring connections beyond your immediate circle, you can swiftly extend the reach of your network. For instance, a former colleague in London could be engrossed in wargames with a barista located near the Houses of Parliament and may soon find themselves just a few degrees away from shaking hands with the prime minister.

What about influential individuals? Within friendship networks, some people naturally possess more connections. Consider a hypothetical group of 20 where 15 are friends with Sandy and only 5 with Charlie. If you randomly select someone, there’s a 75% chance they’re linked to Sandy but only 25% tied to Charlie. Therefore, your circle of friends is not randomly selected; you’re more likely to befriend popular individuals, creating an impression that your friends are more socially connected than you.

This scenario, referred to as the friendship paradox, serves a purpose in discovering prominent individuals. If you randomly survey a group, you’ll observe an average number of connections. However, if you ask them to name a friend, they will likely identify someone with a greater network. Thus, the connections in this newly identified group are typically above average.

So, when it seems your friends are attending more social events, have broader professional networks, or are engaged in more activities than you are, remember: it’s a matter of network dynamics, not personal inadequacy.

Peter Rowlett | Mathematics lecturer, podcaster, and author at Sheffield Hallam University, UK. Follow me on Twitter @peterrowlett

Read more weekly articles at:
newscientist.com/maker

Source: www.newscientist.com

Enhancing Identification of Postnatal Depression in Fathers: Key Strategies and Insights

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated annually on March 8, serves as a pivotal occasion within the “Awareness Calendar”—a framework for raising awareness about diverse global issues. Nevertheless, a common male response to IWD is, “When is International Men’s Day?” The answer, November 19, aims to highlight men’s challenges, including abuse, homelessness, suicide, and violence.

This dismissal of IWD underscores the persistent stigma surrounding men’s mental health. While societal attitudes towards mental health have evolved positively, men still struggle to express their issues openly. Statistics indicate that women are significantly more likely to discuss their mental health challenges.

A major reason for this disparity is the widespread misunderstanding about men’s mental health. Research shows that approximately 40% of people are unaware that men can experience postpartum depression. This is hardly surprising given prevailing societal norms surrounding parenting, which tend to prioritize the mother’s experience, often neglecting the father’s emotional state despite their increasing presence during delivery.

“ 40% of individuals are unaware that men can also experience postpartum depression “

Viewing mental health through a zero-sum lens is erroneous; extensive efforts are still required to comprehend how depression can manifest differently in men. Frequently, symptoms are characterized by withdrawal and risk-taking rather than overt sadness. While International Men’s Day aims to raise awareness, mere acknowledgment is insufficient. It is crucial for healthcare systems to prioritize mental health equally alongside physical health.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Understanding Brain Adaptation: How to Overcome Cognitive Biases When It Matters

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Neurological Tricks to Manage Chaos

Olaser/Getty Images

While scrolling through TikTok, I stumbled upon a video featuring Donald Trump accusing CNN journalist Caitlan Collins of “not laughing” after she questioned him about the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Without a pause, I continued scrolling. I wasn’t angry, nor did I contemplate the implications of a president making such derogatory remarks. Yet, as I reflected on those comments while writing this piece, I realized how abhorrent, unprofessional, and sexist they truly were.

My brain didn’t fail to react out of indifference; it succumbs to a neurological phenomenon known as habituation. This led me to explore how it shapes our lives and our capacity to navigate it effectively.

Habituation is our brain’s method of normalizing experiences, allowing us to engage with life without becoming overwhelmed. It acts as a neural shortcut that enables us to filter out irrelevant information, preventing sensory overload.

At the café where I work, trance music plays, my ski jacket feels weighty, and bright lights flicker nearby. However, until I consciously recognized these stimuli, my brain had adapted to ignore them, allowing me to focus more readily.

This capability develops even before birth. Research indicates that fetuses display brain activity indicating early habituation, honing in on new stimuli while filtering out the familiar sounds and lights.

Habituation liberates neural resources, enabling us to promptly detect new stimuli vital for survival. “This mechanism is essential for survival across all species,” states Tali Shallot from University College London.

This habit-forming capability assists us in managing grief, chronic pain, and in normalizing suffering, making life more navigable. A striking example arises from studies on individuals with locked-in syndrome; despite being entirely conscious yet unable to communicate verbally or move, most report satisfaction. Notably, those who’ve endured this condition longer are more inclined to express contentment with their quality of life.

Habit formation also fuels progress. As the initial excitement of a new job diminishes, satisfaction levels stabilize due to habituation. Shallot notes that this waning enthusiasm propels the desire for advancement. “Our responses to pleasure decrease over time, motivating exploration and progress.”

However, forming habits isn’t always beneficial. Ignoring chronic pain may result in delayed medical intervention, while normalizing detrimental behaviors at home or work can lead to accepting intolerable situations.

Compounding this issue, habituation can be a mental health concern. “Most mental health disorders involve some form of habituation disorder,” notes Shallot. Research indicates that those with depression are slower to recover from negative events, highlighting the struggle to adapt to distressing news.

Shallot’s recent, unpublished findings reveal another concerning aspect: frequent financial risk-takers become desensitized to risks over time. “I can see this pattern in stockbrokers,” Shallot remarks.

On a lighter note, habituation explains why our homes feel smaller over time and why new clothes quickly lose their appeal, often prompting excessive consumption.

Take a Step Back and Slow Down

Short Breaks Enhance Focus

Michael Wheatley/Alamy

How can we break the cycle of habituation? How do we train our brains to regain awareness?

One effective method is mindfulness, which encourages heightened awareness of the present. Research shows that awareness can influence eating habits. Consider how easily we overindulge when we’re not truly savoring our food.

Another strategy is to take breaks, which may seem counterintuitive. Researchers, including Leaf Nelson from UC Berkeley and Tom Meyvis from NYU, found that interrupting pleasurable activities, like music or holidays, can enhance enjoyment. Breaks disrupt routines, aiding in the process of novelty, while stepping away from unpleasant experiences may hinder habit formation and increase irritation.

Injecting novelty into your routine is also beneficial. Repeating the same route can dull excitement; try varying your jogging path or rearranging your furniture. “These small changes can reveal unexpected joys, presenting fresh information to the brain,” Shallot advises.

Particularly concerning, however, is our increasing habituation to social media. “In recent years, society has grown normalized to rude online behavior,” Shallot explains. Constant exposure to negative events dulls our reactions and alters our response to significant global issues, especially for children, who experience desensitization towards violence due to media exposure. Studies correlate media violence exposure with increased risks of violence later in life.

The simplest solution? Take a break. “We need to engage with the world anew,” Shallot concludes. “Small shifts can lead to impactful changes.”

I embraced this advice, deleting social media apps from my phone, planning several short vacations instead of one lengthy break, and even switching gyms for a change of scenery. I aspire that upon my return to social media, I will not just feel greater joy, but also experience a heightened emotional response, allowing my brain to discern what truly deserves my attention.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Climate Change Boosts Frog Attractiveness, Say Scientists

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Climate change is potentially enhancing frogs’ mating rituals with a new study revealing fascinating insights.

Researchers from the University of California, Davis discovered that temperature significantly influences the quality of male frogs’ mating calls, with warmer weather leading to more alluring calls.

Typically, male frogs’ calls become less vibrant in early spring. However, as temperatures rise, their calls speed up, catching the attention of female frogs in search of a mate.

“Frog calls are greatly influenced by the environment’s temperature,” notes lead author Julian Pecny, a former graduate student in the Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology at UC Davis. Currently, she serves as the director of conservation science at the North Carolina Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy.

“As the pond warms, the male frog’s call shifts from a slow, dull sound to a quicker, almost urgent tone. Even humans can hear this change, and female frogs are attuned to it as well.”

The results of this study are published in Frontiers of Ecology and Environment, based on research conducted at Quail Ridge Ecological Reserve and Lassen Field Station, part of the UC Conservancy.

Pecny employed a microphone positioned at the edge of a pond to record the love songs of Sierran tree frogs, analyzing them against variations in water temperature.

Photo credit: Brian Todd/UC Davis. As temperatures rise, male Sierran tree frogs enhance their mating calls to signal to females that conditions for breeding are ideal.

Importantly, the researchers found that female frogs are not merely choosing the most attractive male singers; they are using call quality to assess whether environmental conditions are suitable for breeding.

“This could be a method for females to track changes in seasonality over time,” says Pekny. “As the pond gets warmer, the males’ enticing calls become faster.”

This phenomenon could have significant ramifications as our climate continues to warm. With 41 percent of amphibians at risk of extinction, understanding frogs’ breeding timing and its fluctuations is vital for conservation efforts.

Typically, male frogs arrive at the pond before females, starting their calls to compete for attention. However, females delay until conditions are right for their eggs to thrive, gathering essential information from the quality of the males’ calls.

“It’s crucial for males to reach the pond before their competitors,” stated co-author Brian Todd, a professor in the Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology at UC Davis. “Conversely, females should arrive only when it’s the right time for egg laying.”

This groundbreaking discovery could reshape our understanding of animal reactions to climate change and may also impact insect species that make courtship calls during this season.

Interestingly, it’s not only frogs that can hear these mating calls; humans can, too.

“If you listen carefully over several weeks, you might notice the difference,” Pekny suggests. “Imagine how female frogs identify male calls over the course of the season.”

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Experts Urge Attention for the World’s Smallest and Cutest Deer Species

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Just when you thought Bambi couldn’t get any cuter, meet the Pudu, the world’s smallest deer. Slightly taller than domestic cats, these adorable creatures more than make up for their small size with immense charm.

With captivating doe eyes, a button-shaped nose, tiny feet, and perky ears, this small South American mammal looks like it just hopped out of a Disney movie.

There are two species of Pudu: the Southern Pudu and the Northern Pudu, also known as the Kitapudu.

https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/41/2026/02/pudu-deer.mp4

Pudu is the world’s smallest deer, weighing less than a Corgi and standing no taller than a domestic cat.

The Southern Pudu, with its chestnut-colored fur, is native to the Valdivia temperate forest in south-central Chile and Argentina.

In contrast, the Kitapudu has a lighter coat and a darker face, primarily found in the Andes Mountains of Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and Ecuador.

Adult Kitapudus weigh about the same as a domestic cat, but unlike felines, Pudus can be seen sporting charming headgear!

Each year, adult male Pudus grow a pair of distinctive, single-pointed horns that they use in playful “jousting” matches during the autumn mating season in the southern hemisphere. Males establish their territory and compete for dominance and mating rights.

These jostling contests can get intense, as males will jump, kick, and poke with their front legs, chasing each other and locking horns. Imagine Bambi caught up in a spirited brawl!

However, Pudus are typically solitary creatures, only socializing during mating or when females are raising their fawns. In the wild, they can be quite elusive.

By day, they conceal themselves in dense forest undergrowth, but at night, they emerge to perform essential duties such as marking their territory and foraging for food.

When it comes to diet, Pudus prefer low-hanging fruit—both literally and figuratively. Due to their petite size, they thrive on plant material found at ground level, including herbs, ferns, bark, and fallen fruit.

If they desire a treat from higher up, Pudus will ingeniously stand on their hind legs or climb a branch. Observers have documented them using their front legs to bend or break seedlings to reach tender leaves.

These nervous creatures are easily startled. This makes sense, considering their young are prey for Andean foxes, long-eared owls, and pumas—animals that can threaten their existence.

When alarmed, Pudus emit a warning sound and quickly zigzag to safety in the underbrush.

Though they breed successfully in captivity, the same cannot be said for their wild counterparts. Pudus are increasingly threatened by habitat destruction due to cattle ranching, agriculture, and logging.

Additionally, some are captured for the pet trade or hunted with specially trained dogs. A recent study found that wild Pudus have also begun transmitting diseases from nearby livestock, emphasizing the urgent need to protect these charming animals.

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The Doorway Effect: How Entering a New Room Disrupts Your Train of Thought

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Don’t worry; you’re not alone in experiencing this unsettling phenomenon.

Since 2006, psychologists at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana have been researching a cognitive phenomenon known as the doorway effect. In a significant study, they utilized virtual reality technology to illustrate how volunteers who walked through a doorway into a different room exhibited a notable decline in their memory of the items within the room.

The researchers provide a three-part explanation for this intriguing effect. Our memories are categorized into episodes, and reminiscing about information from previous episodes can be challenging. Crucially, passing through a doorway generates a new episode or “event boundary,” complicating the recall of information from the prior memory episode.

These findings imply that doorways possess a fascinating effect on our cognitive processes. However, a team from the University of Queensland offered a more nuanced perspective. They found that moving through doorways leading to the same room had minimal impact on memory retention. This may be due to insufficient contextual changes to establish event boundaries. Interestingly, the doorway effect only influenced memory when participants were distracted by a secondary task during the transition.

The Queensland team’s observations align with daily experiences, where distractions often lead to forgetfulness about our initial intentions upon entering a new space. This suggests that the doorway effect is most pronounced when transitioning between significantly different contexts, such as moving from the living room to the garden.

These new insights also indicate potential strategies for mitigating forgetfulness. When you enter a room with a specific task in mind, try to concentrate on your goal. If that proves difficult, jotting down a note on your hand can be a helpful reminder.

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10-Year Study of the Arctic Ocean Reveals Disturbing Findings: What Scientists Discovered

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

When you envision the North Pole, you likely imagine a vast, icy wonderland devoid of life. Noise might be the last thing on your mind.

However, recent findings from a study published in npj Acoustics reveal that the underwater soundscape is far more expansive and diverse than we previously thought. This raises crucial questions about how to monitor and protect this unique environment.

Analyzing a decade’s worth of underwater sound data from Cambridge Bay in the Canadian Arctic, researchers discovered that climate change is accelerating ice loss, reshaping the region’s underwater soundscape—an alteration that could have serious ramifications for local wildlife.

“Climate change is more than tripling in the Arctic, which means ice is melting faster, melting earlier, and reforming later,” stated Dr. Philippe Blondel, the lead author of the study and a senior lecturer in the Department of Physics at the University of Bath, UK, in an interview with BBC Science Focus.

“As a result, the Arctic becomes more accessible for human activities. Navigation becomes easier for ships in an ice-free environment. A key finding from our research is that while ships generate noise, they are not the only contributors.”

The study identifies that not only large ships—often the focus of noise pollution regulations—but also other significant sources such as snowmobiles, aircraft, and smaller vessels contribute to underwater noise. Many of these smaller noise sources evade detection by satellite systems, leading to gaps in models that rely solely on vessel position data.

Vital Arctic species, including whales and seals, depend on sound for communication, navigation, finding food, and evading predators. With increasing underwater noise both in frequency and volume, these essential communication tools are increasingly compromised.

Whales rely on sound production and hearing for survival – Photo courtesy of Getty

Dr. Blondel likens the situation to standing next to a busy freeway. “You might only hear the ambient noise, but when a motorcycle rushes by, that high-frequency noise disrupts your ability to hear music.”

“When a large truck thunders past, it becomes nearly impossible to hear anything else.”

In a similar manner, one sound source could disrupt a whale trying to communicate with its calves, while another noise at a different frequency might drive the whale away from critical feeding areas.

However, the research team is not advocating for total silence in the Arctic. Instead, Blondel proposes that environmental policies should encompass a broader array of frequencies beyond the narrow “transport bands” typically measured in protection frameworks, such as the European Maritime Strategy Framework Directive.

He recommends establishing stricter shipping routes in the increasingly ice-free Arctic and implementing varying speed limits depending on wildlife presence, as potential strategies to mitigate harmful noise pollution.

Yet, enforcing such regulations poses challenges, as they would need to encompass everything from large vessels to smaller crafts, and the region is bordered by multiple nations.

“My primary goal was to demonstrate that when assessing the ocean’s soundscape, we need to consider all sound sources, not just large ships,” Blondel emphasized. “But my overarching aim is to establish some form of framework in the Arctic. We must devise effective noise guidelines before the situation worsens further.”

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Ancient Bacterium: A Potential Solution or Catalyst for Antibiotic Resistance Crisis

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery of ancient bacteria trapped in ice. This ancient bacteria could provide insights into antibiotic resistance—and potentially exacerbate the existing problem.

A recent study published in Frontiers of Microbiology highlights the analysis conducted by Romanian scientists on the antibiotic resistance profiles of these ancient bacterial strains.

Known as Cyclobacter SC65A.3, these bacteria have been preserved for approximately 5,000 years beneath a thick layer of ice in Scalisoara Cave, located in northwestern Romania.

According to the study authors, “These ancient bacteria are invaluable for science and medicine; however, meticulous handling and laboratory safety measures are crucial to mitigate the risk of uncontrolled spread.” Dr. Cristina Purcarea, a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Biology, emphasized this point.

As antibiotic resistance continues to rise, conventional antibiotics may soon become ineffective in treating infections.

The issue of antibiotic resistance is largely driven by overuse. However, Professor Purcarea noted that Cyclobacter SC65A.3, recovered from thousands-of-years-old ice deposits, reveals the natural evolution of antibiotic resistance long before the introduction of modern antibiotics.

To recover this bacterial strain, scientists drilled a 25-meter ice core representing a 13,000-year timeline and transported the frozen samples in sterile bags to their laboratory.

Once in the lab, researchers analyzed the bacterial DNA embedded in the ice chips to explore how the bacteria survived such frigid temperatures and how they interacted with various antibiotics.

The bacterium was recovered from the great hall area of the Scalisoara cave in Transylvania, Romania – Credit: Getty Images

Scientists found that Cyclobacter possessed over 100 genes related to antibiotic resistance.

They tested these bacteria against 28 different antibiotics and discovered resistance to 10 of them, which included drugs used to treat infections of the lungs, skin, blood, reproductive system, and urinary tract.

Purcarea noted, “The 10 antibiotics to which we found resistance are commonly used in both oral and injectable therapies for a variety of serious bacterial infections in clinical settings.”

The findings suggest that strains capable of surviving in cold environments may serve as reservoirs for genes that aid in drug resistance.

“As the ice melts and releases these microorganisms, their resistance genes could spread to modern bacteria, further complicating the global issue of antibiotic resistance,” Purcarea explained.

Nevertheless, there is a silver lining. Cyclobacter SC65A.3 contains nearly 600 genes with unknown functions, including 11 genes that have the potential to kill other microorganisms or inhibit their growth.

This indicates that this strain could pave the way for the development of new treatments and therapies, particularly against major antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

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The Surprising Truth: How Hollywood Misrepresents the Asteroid Belt

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

In the iconic 1980 film Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Han Solo and his crew brave the dangers of an asteroid field while fleeing Imperial forces. Droid C-3PO famously states, “The odds of successfully navigating the asteroid belt are about 3,720 to 1.”

This dramatic scene illustrates a chaotic asteroid field filled with swirling rocks, a scenario that has been widely depicted in cinema.

However, the truth about our solar system’s asteroid belt is quite different from Hollywood portrayals. Astronomers estimate that the average distance between asteroids in this belt is nearly 1 million kilometers, based on the volume of the belt and the estimated number and size of the asteroids.

As a result, navigating between asteroids is quite feasible due to the vast distances separating them.

In fact, numerous space probes have successfully traversed the asteroid belt. NASA’s Pioneer 10 was the first spacecraft to do so. On July 15, 1972, this car-sized probe entered the asteroid belt, embarking on a seven-month, 434 million km (267 million mile) journey through the main belt.

Initially, mission planners had limited data on the density of the asteroid belt, but their assumptions proved correct, allowing the spacecraft to pass through without incident.

Since Pioneer 10, eight additional spacecraft—including Pioneer 11, Voyager 1, Voyager 2, Ulysses, Galileo, Cassini, New Horizons, and Juno—have navigated the asteroid belt. Remarkably, none of these missions had to avoid asteroids, and none encountered problems.

Conditions may vary in other star systems, where asteroids could be more densely packed. However, such asteroid formations are generally unstable and do not persist for long due to frequent collisions and fragmentation.

Therefore, the typical science fiction image of a crowded, fast-moving asteroid swarm is unlikely to exist in reality.

This article answers the question posed by Suzanne Baxter of Cornwall: “How difficult would it be to fly through an asteroid belt?”

For more inquiries, please email questions@sciencefocus.com or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (include your name and location).

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The Shocking True Story: When a Python Swallowed a Human Whole

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Here’s some good news: snakes rarely consume humans. However, there have been alarming reports, particularly in Indonesia, where several incidents over the last decade involved people being killed or swallowed by pythons. A notable case included a 45-year-old woman discovered fully clothed inside a 5-meter (16-foot) bloated python.

Nonvenomous snakes like pythons and boas typically use an ambush technique to capture prey. They grip their victims using backward-curved teeth and kill them by constricting their powerful bodies, which cuts off blood supply to vital organs, including the brain. This causes the prey to lose consciousness and die within mere minutes.

After immobilizing their prey, snakes swallow them whole, headfirst. Their unique skull structure allows them to consume animals significantly larger than their heads. For instance, the lower jaw is comprised of two halves connected by elastic ligaments, enabling the snake to stretch. Muscles in the digestive tract then aid in moving the prey to the stomach, where strong acids and enzymes break it down, allowing it to linger for days or even weeks.

The diet of a snake is closely linked to its size, ranging from insects, rodents, birds, and lizards, to monkeys, pigs, deer, and even crocodiles. Humans can pose a challenge due to their wider shoulder blades, which makes it difficult for snakes to constrict their jaws. Nevertheless, even small adults and children may fall victim to larger species.

Digestion of a human can take up to a month, including teeth and bones. Recent research has identified specific intestinal cells in pythons that effectively process substantial amounts of calcium and phosphorus from dissolved bone. However, snakes can’t digest keratin protein, so hair and nails remain intact. Additionally, clothing can complicate ingestion, leading to further challenges if a snake attempts to consume a human.

This article addresses a question posed by Southampton resident Lillian Hart: “What happens if I get eaten by a python?”

To submit your questions, please email questions@sciencefocus.com or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (please include your name and location).

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How Living at High Altitudes Reduces Diabetes Risk: The Science Behind It

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

At high altitudes, red blood cells act like “glucose sponges,” potentially aiding in the regulation of blood sugar levels. A recent study highlights this fascinating discovery, with researchers aiming to develop innovative treatments for diabetes. They’ve even created a drug that replicates these effects in mice.

Research indicates that individuals living at high elevations, where oxygen is scarce, experience lower incidences of diabetes. In the United States, residents at altitudes of 1,500 meters (4,920 feet) are 12% less likely to develop diabetes compared to those living below 500 meters (1,640 feet).

The exact reasons for this phenomenon remain somewhat elusive, but a new publication in Cell Metabolism hints that red blood cells might be key, as our bodies produce an increased number of these cells under low oxygen levels.

To test this theory, researchers placed mice in a hypoxic environment, effectively lowering their blood oxygen levels. They observed that glucose from the blood was being absorbed by the red blood cells, which were now oxygen-deprived.

Red blood cells have often been overlooked because of their simplicity. In low oxygen conditions, bone marrow produces distinct types of red blood cells. – Credit: Getty

These red blood cells converted glucose into molecules that can release oxygen more readily.

Dr. Yolanda Martí Mateos, a postdoctoral fellow at the Gladstone Institute and lead author of the study, explained, “This enables red blood cells to effectively release the limited oxygen they carry to our tissues, essential for survival during hypoxia.” BBC Science Focus.

According to Dr. Martí Mateos, “Red blood cells produced in hypoxic conditions are unique and contain more glucose transporters than their normal counterparts.”

The research team aspires to use their findings as a “proof of concept” to inspire new approaches to diabetes treatment.

“We’re excited about a small molecule from our lab called HypoxyStat, which simulates the effects of hypoxia without reducing the oxygen we inhale,” Dr. Isha Jain, also from the Gladstone Institute, shared with BBC Science Focus.

In mice, the drug effectively reversed high blood sugar levels, demonstrating effectiveness far superior to existing treatments.

“There’s much work ahead before this reaches patients, but the biological insights are promising,” Jain noted.

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Massive New Dinosaur Species Unearthed in Sahara Desert

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have made an exciting discovery of a monumental new dinosaur species in a secluded area of the Sahara Desert. Named Spinosaurus mirabilis—which translates to “amazing spinosaurus” in Latin—this colossal creature roamed more than 95 million years ago in what is now Niger, far from the coastal regions typically associated with similar fish-hunting dinosaurs.

Measuring as long as a school bus and weighing several tons, Spinosaurus mirabilis stands out from other spinosaurs due to its distinctive scimitar-shaped crest on its head. This unique feature was so rare that researchers did not recognize its importance during the initial excavation in 2019; they only grasped its significance upon returning in 2022 to unearth additional specimens.

“This discovery was so sudden and surprising that it was incredibly exciting for our team,” said Paul Sereno, Professor of Organismal Biology and Anatomy at the University of Chicago. Sereno led the groundbreaking research, which was published in a 2016 Science study.

“I will cherish the moment we gathered around our laptops at camp to observe the new species for the first time, after one of our team members generated a 3D digital model of the bones we uncovered to assemble the skull. It was then that the full significance of the discovery became clear,” he added.

The interlocking upper and lower teeth of the skull form a lethal trap for slippery fish. Fish-eating is a proven adaptation found in ichthyosaurs, crocodiles, and pterosaurs, and distinguishes Spinosaurus from its dinosaur relatives. – Photo credit: Keith Ladzinski

Previous Spinosaurus fossils are mainly found near ancient coastlines. These dinosaurs, characterized by their long snouts and conical teeth reminiscent of modern crocodiles, were exceptionally adapted for hunting fish.

The extent of their aquatic capabilities is still debated, with some researchers asserting they were powerful swimmers, while others believe they spent most of their time paddling through shallow waters.

Interestingly, S. mirabilis was discovered hundreds of kilometers away from the nearest coast. Researchers propose that this region of Niger may have once been a lush forest landscape crisscrossed by rivers, rather than a coastal area.

Ana Lazaro, a participant in the 2022 Niger Expedition, holds the third and most complete head print known from the new spinosaurid *Spinosaurus mirabilis*. – Photo credit: Alvaro Simarro

“I envision this dinosaur had no difficulty entering 2 meters (6.5 feet) of water with its robust legs, but likely spent most of its time stalking through shallower areas, hunting for the day’s many large fish,” Sereno remarked.

Nevertheless, many mysteries remain about this new species and its closely related counterparts in the Spinosauridae family.

“This new discovery will only enhance its mystique,” said Steve Brusatte, a professor and paleontologist at the University of Edinburgh, who was not involved in the study. BBC Science Focus.

“This surprising discovery underscores that there is still much to learn about Spinosaurus. While dinosaurs have long been shrouded in enigma, each new fossil sheds light on their true nature, bringing Spinosaurus into clearer focus.”

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Disturbing Insights: Exploring the Grisly Viking Execution Site

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Archaeologists excavating a training dig near Cambridge have discovered chilling burial pits that may shed light on the violence and punishment during England’s turbulent Viking Age.

The site, excavated by a team from Cambridge University in Wandlebury Country Park, presents a daunting puzzle. Four nearly intact skeletons lie alongside disturbingly fragmented bones, including skulls, legs, and pelvises, seemingly grouped or stacked upon one another.

“Unique is the right word,” said Dr. Oscar Aldred, an archaeologist with the Cambridge Archaeology Unit, in an interview with BBC Science Focus. “I’ve been doing this job for 30 years, and I’ve never encountered anything like this.”

The macabre nature of this find is underscored by the four complete human bones, which appear to have been deposited shortly after death. One individual was decapitated, with a noticeable cut on his jaw.

The ruins were uncovered by undergraduate students during a training excavation last spring and summer. Photo credit: Cambridge Archaeological Unit/David Matzliach

Notably, the decapitated man, estimated to stand 196 cm (6 feet 5 inches) tall, was found face down, with his hands and feet likely bound. His height was extraordinary, especially at a time when the average man measured only 168 cm (5 ft 6 in).

His skull is particularly intriguing, featuring a healed hole that suggests trepanation—an ancient surgical procedure involving drilling into the skull.

“[The hole] indicates he was likely in the healing process,” stated Dr. Trish Beers, Curator of the Duckworth Collection at the University of Cambridge, in a piece for BBC Science Focus.

Trepanation was a common practice in antiquity, found in cultures from Greece and Rome to South America. It was often employed to treat conditions like migraines and seizures.

Dr. Beers speculated that this individual may have suffered from a tumor on the pituitary gland, which can cause excess growth hormone.

In the late 8th century, Cambridge was under the control of Offa, the ruler of the Mercian kingdom, but by the late 9th century, Vikings had established a presence nearby. Photo credit: Cambridge Archaeological Unit/David Matzliach

Adding to the grim nature of the burial site, layers of dismembered individuals were found atop the skeletons, with body fragments separated at joints.

“The combination of an articulated individual in a group of bodies, with five skulls and pelvises almost stacked on each other, is truly eerie,” stated Aldred. “What transpired here was undeniably frightening.”

Radiocarbon dating indicates that these deaths occurred during the tumultuous 8th and 9th centuries, a period when Cambridgeshire served as a volatile frontier between Anglo-Saxon Mercia and Viking-ruled East Anglia.

The identity of the deceased remains a mystery: were they Anglo-Saxon captives or Vikings themselves?

Ongoing analyses, including ancient DNA and isotope testing, aim to reveal more about these individuals and their origins.

“I want to go beyond the fact of their death and humanize these people,” Aldred emphasized. “We should not only explore how they died but also understand who they were.”

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

How Dolphins and Killer Whales Use Other Animals as Toys and Hats: Fascinating Animal Behavior

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Dolphins are known for their playful behavior, often observed holding puffer fish in their mouths. When frightened, these fish inflate with seawater, resembling a spiky tennis ball, which the dolphins spin and toss into the air.

Experts suggest that this may be part of the dolphins’ innate playful repertoire, although the exact reason remains uncertain. It’s possible that young dolphins are honing their echolocation skills, locating pufferfish on the ocean floor and engaging with them like a cat teasing its prey.

Interestingly, dolphins seem aware of the fact that puffer fish contain tetrodotoxin, a potent toxin. If they intended to consume the fish, they would likely stop playing and eat them. Instead, they delicately hold the pufferfish in their mouths without causing damage.

Another intriguing theory is that dolphins might be seeking a mild high from the chemicals released by pufferfish. Their playful interactions could be a way to experience these effects in a safe manner.

Dolphins are known for their playful interactions with various marine species – Credit: Getty

Moreover, dolphins are also seen tossing octopuses before consuming them. This behavior has a practical advantage: it eliminates the choking hazard posed by the numerous suckers on the inside of their throat.

Some animal games remain a mystery. For example, killer whales, celebrated for their intelligence and social behavior, exhibited a peculiar trend in the 1980s off Washington state’s coast, where a pod began carrying dead salmon on their heads. This behavior initiated with a single female and soon spread to the rest of the pod.

Though this trend faded by 1988, it resurfaced in 2024, making dead fish hats fashionable once more among killer whales. This peculiar behavior raises questions: Are they saving treats for later, or is it a playful game with unknown rules?

This article addresses the question, “Are there any animals that use other animals for sport?” submitted by Jeanie Holmes.

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Get Paid for Every Post: Scientists Reveal How to Monetize Your Online Content

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

You can be compensated for your online posts, provided they are utilized for AI training.

According to Dr. Margaret Mitchell, the chief ethics scientist at Hugging Face, an open-source AI company, there is a pressing need for AI firms to trace AI-generated content back to its original creators.

“Many creators—including artists, writers, and everyday users—are losing out on compensation for their contributions,” she stated during her talk at AI Everything in Cairo, Egypt.

“I envision a future where we can truly identify the sources of input that make AI outputs possible and adequately reward them.”

Generative AI heavily relies on certain creators more than others. Some AI-generated works exhibit distinct links between input and output, such as a recognizable writing style or an artist’s signature.

Recently, renowned Japanese animator and film director Hayao Miyazaki criticized AI-generated images that mimic the unique style of his Studio Ghibli films.

But the issue extends beyond musicians and artists, as large-scale language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Google Gemini are trained on extensive online resources.

AI companies frequently “harvest” data from the internet to train their LLMs. – Credit: Getty

“We are all creators,” Mitchell emphasized, as reported by BBC Science Focus. It is essential that reward models recognize contributions from all online users, whether it’s a poem or a vacation sunset photo taken five years ago.

Fortunately, there are emerging models that can track the relationship between input and output, rewarding creators based on their contributions.

However, such a system is not yet in place, and existing AI business models hinder the funding required to develop it, Mitchell said, although some AI companies are exploring potential solutions.

For instance, in a document from 2021, AI company Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei proposed a “crazy idea” for a reward distribution model akin to the monetization platform Patreon, which was recently opened by court order.

Mitchell noted that existing LLMs could implement known technological strategies to facilitate this model. Clustering algorithms, for example, could help track similarities and attribute authorship.

To maintain user privacy, this model would require consent, allowing users to opt in for their data to be linked to their identity (with compensation) or remain anonymous.

“To foster innovation, we need to pave the way for this kind of research,” Mitchell asserted. “Currently, the path forward is completely closed.”

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Experience Unmatched Freedom: How This Advanced Exoskeleton Helped Me Conquer Mountains Solo

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

I used to love walking. In my youth, an ideal afternoon meant venturing into the woods, letting my feet lead the way. Now, as I near 40, I’ve realized my knees aren’t what they once were and emit an “umm” sound whenever I stand.

So when I had the chance to test an exoskeleton to ease my aching joints, I felt intrigued, especially since I’d be using it to hike the rugged Snowdonia area, home to Wales’ highest mountain.

This adventure offered a chance to reclaim hobbies lost to city life and aging, not to mention the excitement of living out my sci-fi fantasy of becoming a cyborg!

Your Legs Are Stronger

The term “exoskeleton” often brings to mind images of clunky robotic suits, similar to Ripley’s Power Loader from Alien. Yet, despite being marketed as an exoskeleton, the Hyper Shell X Ultra feels more akin to a climbing harness.

This lightweight device weighs just 1.8 kg (3.9 lbs) and can be strapped to your waist or thigh. Equipped with sensors, the £1,599 gadget monitors my movements while AI algorithms learn my walking patterns, predicting when I’ll take a step. Once it senses motion, an electric motor assists in lifting my leg, making movement easier.

The app guided me through setup, taking only about 15 minutes to learn how to use the device. Initially, my legs felt like a marionette controlled by an unseen puppeteer, but I quickly acclimated.

The Idea Behind the Hypershell

On its lowest setting, this exoskeleton assists in covering up to 30 km (18.6 miles) on a single battery charge. For tougher terrains, like steep inclines, the “Hyper” setting offers significant aid, though at the cost of range.

For this reason, each exoskeleton is equipped with an additional battery pack, weighing only 400g (0.8lb) for easy transport.

With 12 different modes for varied activities, including running, cycling, and uphill hiking, there’s even a workout mode that allows for resistance training against leg movement.

Hypershell X Ultra provides electric assistance to reduce the strain of walking – Ezzy Pearson

Full Power

As we started our hike in beautiful sunshine (rare for an autumn day in North Wales), I realized my main challenge as a walker is climbing. I can walk for hours on flat terrain, but even a slight incline can cause discomfort in my calves.

However, today, I ascended the first long uphill path cheerfully, chatting with companions without losing my breath.

Although this route was meant to challenge us and the X Ultra, we soon encountered loose rocks and nearly vertical scree.

As panic set in, I switched to full power and geared up for the climb. Despite the assistance, it was still demanding, and I broke a sweat without feeling the usual burn in my thighs.

Reaching the Elidir Faur Plateau, we were rewarded with breathtaking views of sunlight dancing on the lake below. The serene breeze and warm sun made me feel one with nature until the X Ultra began jerking my leg unexpectedly.

Even on full power, every time I shifted my weight, the device anticipated my next step. The sensation was akin to Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers. Once I adjusted the power, my legs regained control.

Without the exoskeleton, that climb would have been insurmountable, or it would’ve taken me significantly longer. Instead, I was able to explore the plateau and bask in the beauty of endless mountains and grazing sheep.

However, an hour later, during the next steep ascent, I felt fatigue despite not feeling tired or experiencing burning legs.

The X Ultra exosuit, while empowering, led to overconfidence. I neglected to rest and fuel my body when I should have. I quickly regretted this decision.

Fortunately, I had a chocolate bar to replenish my energy until the next rest stop. In similar situations, hikers can become so fatigued that they may require rescue. Fortunately, exoskeletons are being utilized by various search and rescue teams across the U.S. and China to assist weary hikers back to safety.

Exoskeletons are also beneficial for individuals facing mobility challenges. One fellow hiker had a knee injury, yet with device adjustments, she hoped her weakened leg could keep pace with her robust knee (although she was cautious about overexertion).

Ezzy climbs a Welsh mountain with the help of cyborg-enhanced legs – Ezzy Pearson

Supports Your Legs

One zone where the Hypershell fell short was during the final descent through a section known as Devil’s Kitchen. At times, the exoskeleton hindered movement; I found myself stuck on a narrow path and had to slide down.

Ultimately, we completed the hike just as the sun set. We spent nine hours on the trail, utilizing the Hypershell the entire duration. Without this exoskeleton, reaching the top in time for the golden light cascading over the mountain would have been nearly impossible.

While our hike aimed to explore the capabilities of the X Ultra, I am truly hopeful for its future potential.

Living in a walkable city, my main modes of transport and exercise revolve around foot travel. However, navigating the hilly terrain, characterized by some of Britain’s steepest roads, means I often face a challenging climb on my way home.

After my experience with the Hypershell, I’ve managed to make it home on foot until now, but my joints are becoming increasingly creaky. It’s comforting to know that options like this exist for when that day inevitably arrives.

And let’s be honest—becoming a cyborg is pretty remarkable.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

How Board Games Boost Brain Activity More Effectively Than Puzzles

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Whether you’re strategizing your chess moves, exploring high-scoring options in Scrabble, or crafting your investment plan in Monopoly, board games are an excellent avenue for enhancing your cognitive skills. Engaging in these games demands a variety of mental faculties, including problem-solving, critical thinking, decision making, memory retention, and concentration, while also providing a valuable platform for face-to-face social interaction.

Given their cognitive and social advantages, it’s no wonder that playing board games can support brain health as you age.

A study conducted in 2013 found that players over 65 who engage in board games have a 15% lower risk of developing dementia. Furthermore, a 2025 Spanish research project revealed that nursing home residents attending bi-weekly board game sessions experienced improved cognitive function and quality of life. But the benefits of board games extend to all age groups; for instance, they’ve been shown to enhance preschoolers’ numeracy skills.

Board games are essential for brain development – Photo credit: Getty Images

Specific games, such as chess, have been extensively studied for their ability to strengthen mental skills. A 2025 review of neuroimaging studies comparing expert and novice chess players revealed that seasoned players exhibit higher brain activity and connectivity in regions related to visual processing, spatial awareness, and decision-making.

For enthusiasts of tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, there’s encouraging news as well. A 2024 study from University College Cork found that these games offer escapism, creative expression, and social support, significantly enhancing players’ mental health.

The board game industry is flourishing, with countless options available and dedicated cafes and bars emerging where you can enjoy them. If you’re searching for a delightful way to spend a rainy afternoon, immersing yourself in a good game is definitely a worthwhile option.

This article addresses the question, “Are board games good for the brain?” posed via email by Ray Townsend.

To submit your questions, please email questions@sciencefocus.com or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (don’t forget to include your name and location).

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New Study Uncovers Hidden Complexities Beneath Mars’ Surface

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Latest orbital data indicates that Mars’ recently active volcanic system is more than just a one-time eruption. Long-lasting magma conduits under Mount Pavonis, one of Mars’ largest volcanoes, have reformed lava flows over time, illuminating distinct eruption stages and evolving chemical signatures. These findings enhance our understanding of Mars’ internal dynamics and the processes through which rocky planets mold and alter their surfaces.

This perspective map from ESA’s Mars Express displays three of Mars’ iconic giant volcanoes: Mount Arsia, Mount Pavonis, and Mount Askreus. Image credit: ESA / DLR / FU Berlin.

What seems to be a solitary volcanic eruption often stems from intricate processes occurring deep beneath the surface of Mars, where magma shifts, evolves, and transforms over an extended timeframe.

To comprehensively understand volcanic activity, geoscientists analyze volcanic ejecta from the planet’s surface, unveiling concealed magma systems that significantly influence eruptions.

This groundbreaking study, spearheaded by Bartosz Pieterek from Adam Mickiewicz University, demonstrates that such complexities are also applicable to Mars.

By integrating detailed surface mapping with orbital mineralogy data, researchers meticulously reconstructed the volcanic and magmatic evolution of the region south of Mount Pavonis in unprecedented detail.

“Our research reveals that even during Mars’ recent volcanic activity, the subsurface magma system remained intricate and dynamic,” stated Dr. Pieterek.

“Volcanoes did not erupt just once; they evolved in response to changing underground conditions.”

This study highlights that the volcanic system progressed through various eruptive stages, transitioning from early fissure-induced lava flows to late point-source activity that produced cone-shaped vents.

Despite the differing appearances of these lava flows, they all originate from the same foundational magma system.

Each eruption phase leaves distinct mineral signatures, enabling scientists to trace the evolution of magma over time.

“The variations in these minerals signify that the magma itself was undergoing evolution,” Pieterek noted.

“This likely reflects shifts in the depth of magma origins and the time it spent underground before erupting.”

“Currently, direct sampling of Martian volcanoes isn’t feasible, making studies like this essential for gaining insights into the structure and evolution of Mars’ interior.”

“This discovery underscores the power of orbital observations in revealing the hidden complexities of volcanic systems on Mars and other rocky planets.”

Find out more in the study published in the Journal of Geology on January 29, 2026.

_____

Bartosz Pieterek et al. Spectral evidence for magma differentiation within the Martian plumbing system. Geology, published online on January 29, 2026. doi: 10.1130/G53969.1

Source: www.sci.news

CHEOPS Uncovers Rocky Exoplanet Challenging Traditional Formation Theories

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) pioneering ExOPlanet satellite, CHEOPS, has uncovered a remarkable four-planet system. Notably, the outermost planet is a small rocky world instead of a gas giant, challenging previous assumptions about planet formation. This intriguing configuration surrounding the nearby red dwarf star LHS 1903 indicates that the outermost planet may have formed significantly later than its counterparts, providing compelling evidence that planets can develop in gas-poor environments—conditions once deemed impossible.

Artist’s impression of the four-planet system around LHS 1903. Image courtesy of ESA/ATG Europe.

LHS 1903 is an M dwarf star located approximately 116.3 light-years away in the constellation Lynx.

This star, also referred to as TOI-1730 or G 107-55, is cooler and less luminous than our Sun.

The planet sequence around LHS 1903 begins with the rocky planet LHS 1903b, followed by two gaseous planets, LHS 1903c and LHS 1903d—a pattern that aligns with expectations.

However, astronomer Thomas Wilson from the University of Warwick, along with his team, discovered a surprising fourth planet on the system’s outer edge, which is rocky rather than gaseous.

“This creates an inside-out planetary arrangement: rock → gas → gas → rock,” said Dr. Wilson.

“Typically, rocky planets are expected to form close to their host star.”

Current scientific models suggest that planets closest to a star are often rocky, as stellar radiation can strip away gaseous atmospheres, leaving behind dense, solid cores.

In contrast, gas giants form in cooler regions where they can retain gas.

However, LHS 1903e seems to have lost its gaseous atmosphere or may never have had one.

“The mystery surrounding planet formation and evolution remains significant,” stated Dr. Maximilian Günther, CHEOPS project scientist and ESA astronomer.

“Discovering clues like this is precisely what CHEOPS aims to achieve.”

The research team explored various hypotheses about the unusual formation of this rocky planet.

For instance, could it have been impacted by a giant asteroid or other large object that stripped away its atmosphere?

Or was there a gravitational exchange in the configuration of the planets over time?

Through simulations and orbital calculations, researchers ruled these scenarios out.

Instead, they presented a more fascinating explanation: the planets may have formed sequentially rather than simultaneously.

“By the time this exoplanet formed, the system may have been void of the gases typically necessary for planet formation, yet here we find a small, rocky world defying all expectations,” Dr. Wilson added.

“This could be the first evidence of planets forming in so-called gas-deficient conditions.”

A study detailing this groundbreaking discovery has been published in the latest issue of Science.

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Thomas G. Wilson et al. Formation of gas-deficient planets in a four-planet system around the red dwarf star LHS 1903. Science published online on February 12, 2026. doi: 10.1126/science.adl2348

Source: www.sci.news

How Saturn’s Rings, Hyperion, and Titan Were Formed from the Collision of Two Protomoonsin Space

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

In a recently submitted research paper to be published in the Planetary Science Journal, scientists from the SETI Institute, Southwest Research Institute, California Institute of Technology, and Paris Observatory propose a revolutionary theory regarding Saturn’s moons. Titan and Hyperion, previously thought to be primordial bodies, are actually the result of a dramatic merging of two ancient moons. This groundbreaking discovery could redefine our understanding of Titan’s thick atmosphere and possibly shed light on the formation of Saturn’s iconic ring system.

This mosaic of Saturn and its largest moon Titan combines six images (two each with red, green, and blue spectral filters) to create a naturally colored view. The image was captured using Cassini’s wide-angle camera on May 6, 2012, from approximately 778,000 km (483,000 miles) away. Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Space Science Institute.

In the upcoming paper, researchers including Matiya Chukku propose a new model describing the recent dynamical evolution of Saturn’s satellite system.

The scientists explain, “This phenomenon is driven by the youthful appearance of Saturn’s rings, the dynamic youth of its medium-sized moons, the rapid tidal migration of Titan, its changing tilt and eccentricity, and the recent escape from a postulated spin-orbit resonance with the planet.”

The study contends that Hyperion, a small, irregular moon in a 4:3 orbital resonance with Titan, is significantly younger than previously believed.

The moon’s current elongated orbit suggests Titan has migrated outward by approximately 4 to 5 percent since these two moons became gravitationally locked.

Researchers posit this gravitational resonance likely formed just 400 to 500 million years ago.

To explain Hyperion’s apparent youth, a scenario is proposed where an additional medium-sized moon, dubbed ProtoHyperion, once orbited between Titan and Iapetus.

As Titan’s orbit expanded, this system experienced instability, forcing Proto-Hyperion into a chaotic trajectory, ultimately leading to a collision with Titan.

This merging event disrupted the established spin-orbit resonance between Saturn and Titan, altering Saturn’s axial tilt.

Simultaneously, debris from this collision may have accumulated on modern-day Hyperion, whose low density and high porosity indicate it is likely a conglomerate of debris rather than a pristine structure.

Numerical simulations conducted by the research team indicated that such conditions would lead to frequent collisions between Titan and the hypothesized additional moon.

Throughout its evolution, Iapetus acquired orbital characteristics similar to those observed today, consistent with the gravitational disruptions during this dynamic instability.

These simulations further reveal that Titan’s orbit typically expanded during the merger, allowing ongoing tidal migration, potentially facilitated by resonant interactions within Saturn.

This instability may not have been confined solely to the outer regions of the Saturn system.

Scientists suggest that an eccentric Titan, influenced by this event, may have destabilized Saturn’s inner satellites through resonant interactions.

Collisions and re-accretion among these moons may have resulted in the material that constitutes Saturn’s current ring system.

Previous evidence has hinted at the relatively young age of Saturn’s rings, estimated to be hundreds of millions of years old, based on their mass, composition, and interactions with adjacent moons.

The new model aligns the timing of these events with the creation of Hyperion and the restructuring of Saturn’s external satellite system.

Cassini passed Hyperion on May 31, 2015, at a distance of approximately 21,000 miles (34,000 km). This image was captured during Cassini’s flyby on September 26, 2005, showcasing vivid details across Hyperion’s unique, rolling surface. Differences in color may indicate varying compositions of the surface material. Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Space Science Institute.

“Hyperion, the smallest of Saturn’s major moons, has provided crucial insights into the history of the Saturnian system,” said Dr. Chukku.

“In simulations where additional satellites became unstable, Hyperion was frequently lost and survived only under rare conditions.”

“Our research concluded that the gravitational locking between Titan and Hyperion is relatively recent, dating back just a few hundred million years.”

“This timeframe aligns with the disappearance of the hypothesized additional moon.”

“If this additional moon merged with Titan, it could have created debris in Titan’s vicinity, which aligns with where Hyperion eventually formed.”

The authors also evaluate Rhea’s history, noting that its rapid outward migration suggests crossing a so-called valgus resonance with the Sun in recent geological time.

Such dynamic indicators are more consistent with systems that have recently experienced large-scale transformations rather than those unchanged for billions of years.

“Although these events occurred hundreds of millions of years ago and are challenging to confirm directly, recent observations consistently challenge previous models and unveil new dynamical pathways,” the researchers concluded.

“Our hypothesis predicts a dynamically active and relatively young Saturn system, shaped by recent dramatic events.”

“Future orbital, geophysical, and geological data, especially from missions targeting Saturn’s moons, will be crucial in validating this scenario.”

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Matiya Chukku et al. 2026. Origin of Hyperion and Saturn’s rings in the Two-Stage Saturn System Instability. Planetary Science Journal in press. arXiv: 2602.09281

Source: www.sci.news

Supergiant Star Collapses into Stellar-Mass Black Hole in Andromeda Galaxy: A Remarkable Cosmic Event

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Utilizing archival data from NASA’s NEOWISE mission alongside information from various space and ground-based observatories, astronomers have uncovered a remarkable observational record of a massive star’s transition into a black hole—a phenomenon previously theorized but seldom witnessed.

The location and disappearance of M31-2014-DS1. Image credit: De et al., doi: 10.1126/science.adt4853.

In their final stages, massive stars often undergo instability, expanding and exhibiting significant fluctuations in brightness that can be observed by humans.

Typically, these stars meet their end in spectacular supernova explosions, which are incredibly luminous and readily detectable.

However, it is theorized that not all massive stars culminate in such explosive deaths.

In some cases, a star’s core collapses, causing the outer materials to fall inward, leading to the creation of a black hole.

These failed supernovae are particularly challenging to identify due to their weak energy signatures, often appearing as stars that simply vanish from sight.

Columbia University astronomer Kisharai De and colleagues leveraged lengthy infrared observations from the NEOWISE mission to investigate variable stars within the Andromeda Galaxy, leading to the discovery of the rare supergiant star M31-2014-DS1.

During 2014, this star brightened in mid-infrared light; however, from 2017 to 2022, it dimmed by around 10,000 times in optical light (rendering it undetectable) and about tenfold in total light.

Subsequent observations using Hubble and large terrestrial telescopes revealed faint red remnants detectable in near-infrared light, indicating the star is now heavily obscured by dust, or a shadow of its former supergiant self from years past.

Researchers interpret these findings as evidence of a failed supernova explosion, resulting in the birth of a stellar-mass black hole.

“The star’s dramatic and sustained dimming is extremely unusual, indicating the core did not explode as a supernova but collapsed directly into a black hole,” stated Dr. De.

“It was long assumed that stars of this mass always explode as supernovae.”

Their observations challenge the belief that stars of equivalent mass either necessarily explode or fail to do so, likely influenced by chaotic interactions between gravity, gas pressure, and powerful shockwaves within a dying star.

Dr. De and his fellow scientists identified M31-2014-DS1, another giant star that may have met a similar fate as NGC 6946-BH1.

This study advances our understanding of the fate of the star’s outer layers post-supernova failure and collapse into a black hole.

Interaction among these elements, particularly convection influenced by temperature variances within a star, plays a crucial role.

The internal regions are extremely hot compared to the cooler outer areas, resulting in gas movement from hotter to cooler zones.

Even after a star’s core collapse, gases in the outer layers continue to move rapidly due to convection currents.

Theoretical models suggest that these currents prevent most outer layers from plunging directly into the core. Instead, the innermost layer orbits the black hole, allowing for the ejection of the outermost layers in the convective region.

As the ejected material cools while moving from the surrounding heat of the black hole, it forms dust as atoms and molecules condense.

This dust obscures the hot gas orbiting the black hole, warming it and creating brightness observable at infrared wavelengths.

This lingering red glow remains visible long after the star has vanished.

“The accretion rate is significantly slower than if the stars collided directly,” asserted Andrea Antoni from the Flatiron Institute.

“This convective material possesses angular momentum, causing it to rotate in a circular motion around the black hole.”

“Consequently, the process takes decades instead of months or years to unfold.”

“All these factors contribute to a brighter source than otherwise anticipated, leading to a prolonged delay in the dimming of the original star.”

For further insights, refer to this paper. The findings are published in this week’s edition of Science.

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Kisharai De et al. (2026). Massive stars in the Andromeda Galaxy vanish due to black hole formation. Science 391(6786): 689-693; doi: 10.1126/science.adt4853

Source: www.sci.news

Discover the Japanese Archipelago: Once a Sanctuary for Cave Lions

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

New genetic and proteomic analysis reveals that from 73,000 to 20,000 years ago, the Japanese archipelago was home to the cave lion (Panthera spelea). This insight contrasts with previous beliefs that the region was primarily a refuge for the Tiger (Panthera tigris).

A cave lion painted at the Chauvet Cave in France.

Lions and tigers were apex predators during the Late Pleistocene, playing vital roles in the East Asian megafauna ecosystem.

Cave lions primarily roamed northern Eurasia, whereas tigers occupied southern regions.

“Since their emergence around 2 million years ago, lions and tigers have been dominant apex predators, shaping the evolution of other carnivores and influencing herbivore populations through predation,” stated researchers Shu-Jin Luo and colleagues from Peking University.

“About a million years ago, as lions migrated from Africa, they expanded their ranges in Eurasia, becoming important competitors.”

“However, due to significant habitat contraction from anthropogenic activities in the early 20th century, their ranges no longer overlap, with the closest populations now over 300 km apart in India.”

“In contrast, during the Late Pleistocene, lions and tigers frequently coexisted within the lion-tiger transition zone, which extends from the Middle East through Central Asia to the Far East,” the researchers indicated.

The Japanese archipelago, the easternmost part of this zone, was historically viewed as a refuge for tigers, yet the identity of these big cat subfossils was uncertain.

To explore the origins and evolutionary history of Japan’s Pleistocene feline populations, researchers examined 26 subfossils unearthed from various sites in the Japanese archipelago.

“Using advanced techniques such as mitochondrial and nuclear genome hybridization, paleoproteomics, Bayesian molecular dating, and radiocarbon dating, we surprisingly discovered that all ancient remains identified as ‘tiger’ were actually cave lions,” the team said.

Despite the low endogenous DNA content in most samples, scientists successfully retrieved five near-complete mitochondrial genomes and one partial nuclear genome.

The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Japanese specimens formed a distinct monophyletic group within the Late Pleistocene cave lion lineage, designated as Speller-1.

Nuclear genome analysis of well-preserved specimens confirmed these findings, clearly differentiating the lion lineage from tigers.

Paleoproteomic analysis identified unique amino acid variants in α-2-HS-glycoprotein associated with lions but not tigers.

The research team concluded that cave lions dispersed throughout the Japanese archipelago approximately between 72,700 and 37,500 years ago, facilitated by a land bridge connecting northern Japan to the mainland during the last ice age.

They inhabited areas previously believed to favor tigers, coexisting with wolves, brown bears, black bears, and early humans, forming a crucial part of the archipelago’s Late Pleistocene ecosystem.

The authors propose that Speller-1, the cave lion, may have survived in the Japanese archipelago for at least 20,000 years after its extinction across Eurasia, outlasting its last extinction event in eastern Beringia by more than 10,000 years.

“Future studies of lion and tiger subfossil sites across mid-latitude Eurasia are essential for understanding species range dynamics and clarifying the historical interactions between lions and tigers,” the researchers concluded.

Read the full study published on January 26, 2026, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Shin San et al. 2026. “During the Late Pleistocene, the Japanese archipelago protected cave lions rather than tigers.” PNAS 123 (6): e2523901123; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2523901123

Source: www.sci.news

Chandra Telescope Unveils Newborn Star Cluster in the Cocoon Nebula

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

The Chandra team has unveiled a stunning new composite image of the Cocoon Nebula, a fascinating reflection and emission nebula located in the constellation Cygnus. This image artfully combines high-energy X-rays with optical and infrared light, showcasing a vibrant population of newborn stars emerging from the surrounding clouds of dust and gas.

This composite image of the Cocoon Nebula highlights a heart-shaped formation. X-ray data from Chandra reveals a new cluster of stars, complemented by optical light from astrophotographers Michael Adler and Barry Wilson, as well as infrared data from the WISE mission. Image credits: NASA / CXC / SAO / JPL / Caltech / WISE / M. Adler / B. Wilson / L. Frattare.

The Cocoon Nebula is located approximately 2,650 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus.

This nebula, also known as IC 5146 or Colinder 470, spans 15 light-years across.

The object was first discovered by American astronomer Edward Emerson Barnard on October 11, 1893.

Chandra astronomers noted, “This image depicts the Cocoon Nebula as a vibrant, glowing heart-shaped cloud amidst a backdrop of millions of stars in the Milky Way.”

“The core of this nebula features warm reds, oranges, and golds, forming a luminous cocoon of gas and dust, with soft, uneven edges that gradually fade into the surrounding darkness.”

“Within this illuminated cloud lies a multitude of young stars, some visible as bright white or bluish dots, while others remain hidden or only detectable through X-ray light captured by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory.”

“These X-rays trace a population of newly formed, highly active stars clustered near the center of the nebula,” the researchers explained.

“The heart-shaped nebula glows from a combination of light emitted by these young stars and starlight reflected by the surrounding dust.”

“Optical data from two astrophotographers, along with infrared observations from NASA’s Wide Field Infrared Surveyor (WISE), add depth and texture, unveiling a shimmering starry landscape and the dense, dusty regions where new stars are continuously forming.”

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient Forces Behind Antarctica’s Gravitational Hole Uncovered by Earth Scientists

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A groundbreaking study by geoscientists at the University of Florida and the Paris Institute of Geophysics reveals the origin of Earth’s most severe gravity anomaly, known as the Antarctic Gravity Hole (or Antarctic Geoid Depression). This anomaly is attributed to millions of years of slowed underground rock flow.

Evolution of the Antarctic geoid cyclone. Image credit: P. Glišović & AM Forte, doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-28606-1.

According to Professor Alessandro Forte from the University of Florida, gaining a better understanding of how Earth’s interior influences gravity and sea levels can shed light on factors essential for the growth and stability of significant ice sheets.

“Variations in gravity due to differences in rock density beneath the surface, although small in absolute terms, can have a substantial impact on ocean levels,” he explained.

“In regions of reduced gravity, water tends to flow toward areas of higher gravity, causing sea levels to be relatively lower in those spots.”

“As a result of the Antarctic gravity hole, the sea level around Antarctica is significantly lower than it would typically be.”

In this research, Professor Forte and Dr. Petar Grišović from the Paris Institute of Geophysics have meticulously mapped out the Antarctic geoid cyclone, revealing its development throughout the Cenozoic Era, spanning from 66 million years ago to the present day.

The team utilized a global scientific initiative that integrates seismic data and advanced modeling techniques to reconstruct the 3D structure of Earth’s interior.

“It’s like performing a CT scan of the planet without the use of conventional X-rays,” Forte remarked.

“Earthquakes generate seismic waves, which act as the ‘light’ that reveals Earth’s inner structure.”

The researchers successfully created a global gravity map that aligns closely with satellite data, validating their underlying model.

The next challenge involved reversing the geophysical clock to examine how the Antarctic geoid cyclone has evolved over millions of years.

By employing physics-based reconstructions and sophisticated computer models, they retraced geological changes spanning 70 million years.

These historical analyses indicate that the Antarctic geoid cyclone began in a relatively weak state.

From approximately 50 to 30 million years ago, however, the gravity hole began to strengthen, coinciding with significant shifts in Antarctica’s climatic conditions, including the onset of a global ice age.

“We aim to test the causal relationship between this intensified gravity hole and the Antarctic ice sheet. Our new modeling will connect changes in gravity, sea levels, and continental elevation,” stated Professor Forte.

This research seeks to answer pivotal questions about the interactions between our climate and the processes occurring within Earth.

For more details, refer to the study published in December 2025 in the journal Scientific Reports.

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P. Grišović and A.M. Forte. 2025. Cenozoic evolution of Earth’s strongest geoid low reveals the dynamics of the Antarctic subsurface mantle. Scientific Reports 15, 45749; doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-28606-1

Source: www.sci.news

Webb Telescope Detects Hydrogen Sulfide Gas in Three Super-Jupiter Exoplanets

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

For the first time, astronomers utilizing NASA/ESA/CSA’s James Webb Space Telescope have detected hydrogen sulfide gas in the atmospheres of three gas giant exoplanets orbiting the star HR 8799, located in the Pegasus constellation and approximately 30 million years old. This significant finding indicates that the sulfur originated from solid materials in the protoplanetary disk where the planets formed.

Artist’s rendering of the HR 8799 planetary system during its early evolutionary stages, featuring a gas and dust disk around planet HR 8799c (Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics/Media Farm).

HR 8799 lies about 129 light-years away from Earth and hosts a substantial debris disk alongside four super-Jupiter planets (HR 8799b, c, d, and e).

The smallest of these gas giants is five times the mass of Jupiter, while the largest exceeds ten times Jupiter’s mass.

These exoplanets reside far from their star, with the nearest planet being situated 15 times farther from its star than Earth is from the Sun.

Unlike many exoplanets discovered through indirect data analysis, the planets in the HR 8799 system can be directly observed using ground-based telescopes.

“HR 8799 is unique as the only imaged stellar system containing four gas giant planets, although other systems have one or two larger companion stars with formation processes yet to be understood,” explained Dr. Jean-Baptiste Ruffio, an astronomer at the University of California, San Diego.

Utilizing Webb’s unprecedented sensitivity, Dr. Ruffio and colleagues conducted detailed studies of the chemical compositions of the planets HR 8799c, d, and e.

Due to the faintness of these planets—approximately 10,000 times dimmer than their host star—the researchers developed innovative data analysis techniques to isolate weak signals in the Webb data.

“Prior studies of carbon and oxygen on these planets, conducted from Earth, could originate from ice, solids, or gas in the disk, making them unreliable indicators of solid material,” noted Dr. Jerry Xuan, a postdoctoral researcher at UCLA and Caltech.

“In contrast, sulfur is distinctive because, away from the star, these planets should harbor sulfur in solid form.”

“It’s impossible for these planets to accumulate sulfur in gaseous form.”

The identification of hydrogen sulfide indicates that sulfur was gathered in solid form from materials that existed in the disk surrounding the star during the planets’ formation. These solids were assimilated as the planet formed, and the intense heat of the young planet’s core and atmosphere caused them to vaporize into the sulfur gas present today.

Notably, the sulfur-to-hydrogen and carbon-to-oxygen-to-hydrogen ratios on these planets are significantly higher than those found in stars, hinting at a distinct planetary composition.

This puzzling consistency in the enrichment of heavy elements is also observed in Jupiter and Saturn.

“The uniform enhancement of carbon, oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen in Jupiter is complex, but observing this in another star system suggests a universal trend in planet formation, where planets naturally integrate heavy elements in nearly equal proportions,” Dr. Xuan commented.

The findings could advance the search for Earth-like exoplanets.

“The techniques used here allow for the optical and spectral separation of planets from stars, enabling detailed studies of exoplanets located far from Earth,” Dr. Xuan stated.

“While currently limited to gas giants, as telescope technology and instruments improve, scientists aim to apply these methods to Earth-like planets.”

“Locating an Earth analog is the ultimate goal of exoplanet research; however, achieving this may take decades.”

“Nevertheless, within the next 20 to 30 years, we might obtain the first spectra of an Earth-like planet, allowing us to investigate biological markers such as oxygen and ozone in its atmosphere.”

Findings detailed in the Journal of Natural Astronomy on February 9, 2026.

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J.B. Ruffio et al. “Jupiter-like homogeneous metal enrichment in a system of multiple giant exoplanets,” Nat Astron published online on February 9, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41550-026-02783-z

Source: www.sci.news

Scientists Discover Secrets of Swirling Plume-Like Structures Beneath Greenland Ice Sheet

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

For years, glaciologists have been intrigued by the peculiar plume-like structures hidden beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet. Recent research conducted by scientists from the University of Bergen, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, and the University of Oxford indicates that these enigmatic features are the result of thermal convection—an intriguing process typically associated with Earth’s mantle.

Location of a large plume-like structure (triangle) within the Greenland Ice Sheet. Credit: Leysinger Vieli et al., doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-07083-3 / Law et al., doi: 10.5194/tc-20-1071-2026.

“Typically, we perceive ice as a solid material, so the revelation that parts of the Greenland Ice Sheet experience heat convection—similar to cooking pasta— is both extraordinary and fascinating,” said study co-author Professor Andreas Born from the University of Bergen.

“The realization that thermal convection can occur within ice sheets defies our expectations,” remarked lead author Dr. Robert Loh, also from the University of Bergen.

“However, the ice is at least a million times softer than Earth’s mantle, making the physics align. It’s truly a remarkable phenomenon in nature.”

“These findings could play a crucial role in reducing uncertainties in models predicting ice sheet mass balance and sea level rise,” added Professor Born.

Deep ice is found to be approximately ten times softer than previously assumed, but this does not imply a faster melting rate.

“Enhancing our understanding of ice physics is vital for greater certainty regarding future conditions; nonetheless, softer ice alone does not guarantee accelerated melting or increased sea levels. Further studies are necessary to explore this,” Dr. Loh emphasized.

Although these findings do not predict imminent disasters in Greenland or elsewhere, they underscore the complex and dynamic nature of this region.

“Greenland and its ecosystem are indeed unique,” Dr. Loh commented.

“The ice sheet is over 1,000 years old and is the only one on Earth that coexists with a culture and established communities along its edges.”

“Understanding the processes beneath the ice will better equip us to handle the changes occurring along coastlines globally.”

Read more about the research in the upcoming publication in Cryosphere this month.

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R. Law et al. 2026. Investigating the conditions under which convection is likely to occur within the Greenland Ice Sheet. Cryosphere 20: 1071-1086; doi: 10.5194/tc-20-1071-2026

Source: www.sci.news

New Insights into Sauropod Growth Strategies from Small Triassic Dinosaurs Discovered in Brazil

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have discovered fossilized remains of one of the smallest sauropod dinosaurs from the Late Triassic period in southern Brazil. This remarkable find sheds light on early dinosaur development and physiology.

Massospondylus carinatus, a small sauropod dinosaur from the Early Jurassic of southern Africa. Image credit: Nobu Tamura, http://spinops.blogspot.com / Patty Jansen / Sci.News.

Dr. Luciano Artemio Real from the University of Sudoeste da Bahia and his team collected significant dinosaur material from the Cerro da Aremoa outcrop located in southern Brazil.

The Cerro da Aremoa outcrop serves as a crucial geological and zoological record within the Santa María Supersequence in central Rio Grande do Sul.

This recently recovered material dates to the Carnian period of the Late Triassic, approximately 237 to 227 million years ago.

The fossilized remains include small bones, each measuring less than 5.7 cm (2.2 inches), comprising parts of the humerus, metatarsals, nail phalanges, neural arch, and vertebral center.

A thorough phylogenetic and anatomical analysis positioned the specimen clearly within the basal sauropod clade.

“This specimen is a significant juvenile dinosaur,” noted the paleontologists.

“A combined analysis of its morphology, bone histology, and phylogenetic data indicates that it represents a basal sauropod from the Brazilian Triassic.”

Unlike later giant sauropods, this early version likely maintained a much smaller size during its developmental phases.

Notably, the bone microstructure exhibited signs of at least one complete growth interruption cycle, indicated by a line of growth arrest. This suggests that the dinosaur experienced a developmental pause early in its life, hinting at the potential for flexible growth strategies within early sauropods.

These findings may provide insights into the eventual gigantism characteristic of later sauropod species.

“These observed traits indicate that the individuals, still in development, have experienced their first growth arrest and are in the midst of a second cycle,” researchers commented.

“Our analyses suggest ontogenetic features typical of juvenile sauropods exhibiting a single growth arrest.”

“Our research unveils a new growth strategy in the early evolution of sauropods, illuminating the origins of small dinosaurs during the Triassic period.”

The full findings will appear in the April 2026 edition of the journal Paleo World.

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Leomir Santos Campos et al. 2026. A new small basal sauropod (Dinosauria: Saurischia) discovered from the Santa Maria supersequence in the Upper Triassic of southern Brazil. Paleo World 35 (2): 201064;doi: 10.1016/j.palwor.2025.201064

Source: www.sci.news

Discover How Elephant Trunks Use Touch Beyond Muscles and Nerves: Key Findings from Recent Study

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Keratin composites enable animals to walk with hooves, fly with wings, and sense their environment through their skin. Mammalian whiskers consist of elongated keratin rods attached to specialized tactile structures, enhancing the animal’s sensory perception. A recent study conducted by scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems aims to explore the structure, porosity, and stiffness of the whiskers found in the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus).

Schulz et al. investigated the whiskers of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) to determine their geometric and mechanical adaptations for enhanced tactile sensitivity, which encodes contact location through vibrotactile signals. Image credit: Schulz et al., doi: 10.1126/science.adx8981.

Whiskers in mammals, resembling elongated keratin rods, serve as sophisticated sensory tools.

While the keratin material itself does not directly sense touch, whiskers are housed within hair follicles, surrounded by dense sensory neurons that translate subtle mechanical vibrations into nerve signals.

Previous research primarily focused on the shape and movement of whiskers, often assuming a uniform mechanical structure along their length.

However, emerging evidence suggests that the stiffness and internal composition of whiskers can differ from root to tip, highlighting the importance of material properties in tactile sensation.

Unlike many other mammals, elephants possess numerous immobile whiskers distributed over the thick skin of their highly skilled trunks.

Though these whiskers cannot move independently, they frequently interact with objects, enabling elephants to perform precise tasks, from delicate manipulations to food handling.

Given the immobility of their whiskers, Dr. Andrew Schultz and colleagues hypothesized that elephants rely on variations in the shape and material structure of their whiskers to enhance tactile perception.

The researchers employed techniques such as micro-CT imaging, electron microscopy, mechanical testing, and functional modeling to examine the shape, porosity, and stiffness of whiskers in both juvenile and adult Asian elephants.

Findings reveal that the material properties of elephant whiskers transition from thick, porous, and rigid roots to thin, dense, and soft tips.

Dr. Schultz noted, “Tapping the handrail with different parts of the whisker wand felt soft at the tip and sharp at the base. I could easily feel where contact occurred without even looking.”

These functional gradients significantly influence how mechanical vibrations are relayed to sensory neurons, enhancing the clarity and strength of tactile signals.

Specifically, the transition from a firm base to a softer tip amplifies signal power, aiding elephants in accurately determining contact locations along the whisker, which is crucial for navigation and fine manipulation.

In this manner, elephant whiskers exhibit a type of built-in or “physical” intelligence, optimizing sensation through intelligent material design without needing active movement.

This exciting discovery is driving the authors’ efforts to apply natural insights into advancements in robotics and intelligent systems.

“Bio-inspired sensors that replicate elephant-like stiffness gradients could provide precise information with minimal computational cost, simply by leveraging intelligent material design,” Dr. Schultz stated.

The team’s groundbreaking research was published in the Journal on February 12, 2026, in Science.

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Andrew K. Schultz et al. 2026. Functional gradients drive tactile sensation in elephant whiskers. Science 391 (6786): 712-718; doi: 10.1126/science.adx8981

Source: www.sci.news

5,000-Year-Old Cave Ice Reveals Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Strain: A Groundbreaking Discovery

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Scientists have discovered Cyclobacter cryohalorentis seeds in the 5,000-year-old ice of the Scalisoara Ice Cave in Romania. The strain, designated SC65A.3, exhibits remarkable resistance to 10 widely used antibiotics, including treatments for severe infections like tuberculosis and urinary tract infections.

Isolated colony of Cyclobacter SC65A.3 on R2A medium at 4°C (A) and on TSA medium at 15°C (B). Image credit: Ioana Paun et al., doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1713017.

Cyclobacter is a genus that comprises approximately 50 bacterial species adapted to cold and saline environments.

First identified in 1986, Cyclobacter immobilis is recognized as the type species and has a broad distribution.

This species forms cream to orange colonies and is capable of growing at low temperatures, withstanding a range of 35-37°C and various salinities. Some species are known to be pathogenic to humans and animals.

Characteristically, they are strictly aerobic, catalase, and oxidase-positive, utilizing amino acids and organic acids as carbon sources, albeit demonstrating limited biochemical diversity.

“Despite its ancient origin, the SC65A.3 strain isolated from the Scalisoara Ice Cave is resistant to modern antibiotics and possesses over 100 resistance-related genes,” stated Dr. Cristina Purcarea, a researcher at the Biological Institute of the Romanian Academy in Bucharest.

“Moreover, it has demonstrated the ability to inhibit the growth of several prominent antibiotic-resistant ‘superbugs’, showcasing significant enzymatic activity with considerable biotechnological potential.”

Cyclobacter SC65A.3 was isolated from a 5,000-year-old ice layer within a 25.33-meter ice core in the Scalisoara Ice Cave.

“Our research on Cyclobacter SC65A.3, retrieved from ancient cave ice deposits, sheds light on how antibiotic resistance evolved naturally in the environment long before modern antibiotics were introduced,” Dr. Purcarea added.

Researchers sequenced the Cyclobacter SC65A.3 genome to pinpoint genes that allow bacteria to endure extreme cold and those that support antimicrobial resistance and activity.

They tested the strain against 28 antibiotics, including 10 commonly prescribed for bacterial infections, many of which are known to encounter resistance due to specific genes or mutations that diminish their effectiveness.

“The 10 antibiotics to which we found resistance are widely utilized in oral and injectable therapies for various serious bacterial infections in clinical settings,” Dr. Purcarea explained.

The resistance profile of this strain indicates that cold-adapted bacteria may act as reservoirs for resistance genes.

“As the ice melts and releases these microorganisms, the resistance genes could spread to contemporary bacteria, exacerbating the global challenge of antibiotic resistance,” Dr. Purcarea remarked.

“Conversely, they produce unique enzymes and antimicrobial compounds that could lead to the development of new antibiotics, industrial enzymes, and other biotechnological advancements.”

These findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology.

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Victoria Ioana Paun et al. 2026. First genome sequence and functional profiling of Cyclobacter SC65A.3 preserved in 5,000-year-old cave ice: Insights into ancient resistomes, antimicrobial power, and enzyme activity. Frontiers in Microbiology 16; doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1713017

Source: www.sci.news

New Discoveries Reveal Triceratops’ Massive Nasal Cavity Had More Functions Than Just Smell

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

For decades, triceratops and their relatives were known only through fossils. Now, groundbreaking research by Japanese paleontologists has mapped the soft tissue anatomy of these iconic horned dinosaurs, unveiling unexpected structures that may shed light on their ability to regulate body temperature and breathe effectively.

Triceratops‘ nasal cavity. Image credit: K. Sakane.

The ceratopsians, a group that includes the famous triceratops, represent one of the most diverse and successful dinosaur lineages of the Late Cretaceous period.

Their skulls are among the most intricate structures ever formed through vertebrate evolution, featuring a beak, distinctive horns, frills, an elongated snout, and a compact tooth row specifically adapted for processing tough vegetation.

Researchers have traditionally concentrated on the functionality of their cranial features—chiefly the horns, beaks, and frills—since these characteristics likely contributed to their ecological dominance on land.

In contrast, the evolutionary significance of the enlarged nasal region of these dinosaurs remains largely uncharted.

“Since my master’s studies, I have focused on the evolution of reptilian heads and noses,” said Dr. Seishiro Tada, a paleontologist affiliated with the University of Tokyo Museum.

“The triceratops possessed an unusually large and complex nose. While I knew the fundamental reptilian structure, I struggled to understand how the internal organs fit within it,” he remarked.

This curiosity led Dr. Tada deeper into the study of nasal anatomy, its functions, and its evolutionary implications.

In this recent study, Dr. Tada and his team meticulously examined various cranial specimens of the triceratops.

“Using advanced CT scan data, akin to our understanding of contemporary reptilian snout morphology, we discovered several unique attributes within the snout. This research presents the first comprehensive insight into the soft tissue anatomy of horned dinosaurs,” explained Dr. Tada.

“The nasal structures of triceratops exhibited atypical ‘wiring.’ In most reptiles, nerves and blood vessels navigate from the jaw to the nostrils. However, the shape of the triceratops skull reroutes these pathways through the nasal branches,” he added.

“Essentially, the soft tissue evolved to support their prominent noses. I noted this while assembling 3D-printed skull segments of triceratops like a jigsaw puzzle,” Dr. Tada continued.

The researchers identified specialized structures within the triceratops nasal cavity, known as respiratory turbinates. This anatomical feature is underrepresented in other dinosaurs but common in birds and mammals, descendants of modern-day dinosaurs.

These delicate, coiled nasal surfaces enhance the interaction between air and blood, facilitating temperature regulation through effective heat exchange.

While triceratops probably wasn’t entirely warm-blooded, the team believes these structures assisted in controlling temperature and humidity levels, crucial for managing the heat generated by their large skulls.

“Although we’re not entirely certain, we note that while most dinosaurs lack evidence of respiratory turbinates, some birds display similar ridges of these structures, and horned dinosaurs may exhibit analogous features in equivalent nasal locations,” Dr. Tada stated.

“This leads us to hypothesize that triceratops possessed respiratory turbinates akin to those found in birds.”

“Horned dinosaurs represent the last group in which we investigated head soft tissue, effectively completing the puzzle of dinosaur anatomy,” Dr. Tada concluded.

The team’s paper is published in the journal Anatomical Records.

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Seishiro Tada et al. Soft tissue anatomy of the nose in triceratops and other horned dinosaurs. Anatomical Records, published online on February 7, 2026. doi: 10.1002/ar.70150

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Dark Galaxy Discovered in Perseus Cluster: New Evidence Unveiled

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

The recently discovered dark galaxy candidates, particularly Candidate Dark Galaxy-2 (CDG-2), are primarily composed of dark matter and emit minimal light. This intriguing object features four globular clusters and is part of the Perseus galaxy cluster. The identification of CDG-2 presents significant implications for astronomers’ understanding of galaxy formation and evolution within the cosmic web, offering fresh insights into dark matter—an elusive substance that significantly outweighs ordinary matter yet remains invisible.

CDG-2 (dashed red circle) showcases its dominance in dark matter with only a sparse scattering of stars. Image credit: NASA/ESA/Dayi Li, Toronto/Joseph DePasquale, STScI.

“In the expansive fabric of the universe, most galaxies emit brilliant light across cosmic time and space,” stated University of Toronto astronomer David Lee and his research team.

“However, a rare subset of galaxies remains mostly hidden: those with low surface brightness, primarily dominated by dark matter and containing only a sparse collection of faint stars.”

“Detecting dark galaxies of this nature poses significant challenges.”

Dr. Li and his collaborators employed advanced statistical techniques to uncover 10 previously known galaxies with low surface brightness, in addition to identifying two new dark galaxy candidates by analyzing concentrated groupings of globular clusters.

These clusters may reveal the existence of faint stellar populations that are not easily observed.

To validate one of the dark galaxy candidates, they utilized NASA/ESA’s Hubble Space Telescope, ESA’s Euclid Space Observatory, and the ground-based Subaru Telescope in Hawaii.

High-resolution images captured by Hubble unveil four globular clusters closely packed within the Perseus Cluster—a large galaxy cluster located approximately 240 million light-years away in the constellation Perseus.

Further follow-up surveys using Hubble, Euclid, and Subaru revealed a faint, diffuse glow surrounding the cluster, providing compelling evidence of the underlying galaxy.

“This marks the first detection of a galaxy identified solely through its globular cluster population,” remarked Dr. Lee.

“Under conservative assumptions, these four clusters represent the entirety of the CDG-2 globular cluster.”

Preliminary assessments indicate that CDG-2 possesses brightness equivalent to about 6 million Sun-like stars, with globular clusters constituting 16% of its visible content.

Remarkably, approximately 99% of its mass is believed to be dark matter, encompassing both visible and dark constituents.

Much of the normal matter that facilitates star formation may have been stripped away due to gravitational interactions with neighboring galaxies in the Perseus cluster.

“CDG-2 stands out as the most globular cluster-dominated galaxy and may be among the most dark matter-dominated galaxies ever discovered,” the astronomers concluded.

Read their research paper published in June 2025. Astrophysics Journal Letter.

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Dai (David) Lee et al. 2025. Dark galaxy candidate-2: Verification and analysis of nearly dark galaxies in the Perseus cluster. APJL 986, L18; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/adddab

Source: www.sci.news

New Discoveries Reveal the Moon’s Higher Geological Activity Than Previously Believed

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Planetary scientists have identified thousands of Small Oceanic Ridges (SMRs) across the Moon’s maria, indicating active tectonic movements that could influence the next era of space exploration. These SMRs are geologically young, dating between 50 million and 310 million years, and are widely distributed across the lunar surface.

Small Mare ridge in northeast Mare Imbrium, captured by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera. Image credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University.

Both the Moon and Earth experience active crustal movements, yet the tectonic forces shaping each celestial body differ significantly.

The Earth’s crust is segmented into plates that converge, diverge, and slide against one another, creating vast mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, and a ring of volcanoes surrounding the Pacific Ocean.

Conversely, although the Moon’s crust isn’t divided into plates, internal stresses generate distinctive landforms.

Among these are foliated scarps, which arise when compressive forces push materials along faults, forming ridges. These cliffs, visible in the lunar highlands, have formed within the last billion years, representing the most recent 20% of the Moon’s geological timeline.

In 2010, researcher Tom Watters from the Smithsonian Institution discovered that the Moon is gradually shrinking, leading to the development of these foliated cliffs.

However, the creation of foliated scarps does not account for all the recent contractional topography observed on the Moon.

A newly identified category of tectonic landform is the SMR, caused by similar forces to those that form foliated cliffs. While foliated cliffs exist at high altitudes, SMRs are exclusive to the Moon’s maria.

In the latest study, Dr. Watters and his team aimed to map the SMRs in the lunar maria and assess their correlation with recent tectonic activity.

“Since the Apollo missions, we’ve known that foliation is prevalent throughout the lunar highlands, but this study marks the first documentation of similar features across the lunar maria,” stated Dr. Cole Nipaver, also affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution.

“This research will enhance our understanding of recent lunar tectonism, providing deeper insights into the Moon’s interior, its thermal and seismic history, and the potential for future lunar earthquakes.”

The researchers compiled the first comprehensive catalog of SMRs on the Moon’s far side, identifying 1,114 new SMR segments, bringing the total known SMRs to 2,634.

They discovered that the average age of these SMRs is 124 million years, aligning with the average age of foliation stumps at 105 million years.

These findings suggest that, akin to foliated scarps, SMRs are some of the Moon’s youngest geological features.

Additionally, our analysis indicates that SMRs form due to the same types of faults as foliated scarps, and that the highland foliated scarps often transition into SMRs, suggesting a shared geological origin.

The new SMR data, alongside the high-altitude foliation scarps, provide a comprehensive view of the Moon’s recent crustal contraction activities.

“Our identification of the Moon’s young SMRs and understanding their formation contributes to the global perspective of a dynamically contracting Moon,” said Watters.

For further details, view the result published in Planetary Science Journal.

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C.A. Nye Paver et al. 2025. A new global perspective on recent tectonism in the lunar maria. Planetary Science Journal 6, 302; doi: 10.3847/PSJ/ae226a

Source: www.sci.news

Webb Telescope Uncovers Most Distant Jellyfish Galaxy Discovered to Date

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

NASA/ESA/CSA’s James Webb Space Telescope has made groundbreaking observations of a galaxy featuring gaseous “tentacles” within a galaxy cluster at a redshift of 1.156. This remarkable finding allows us to observe the universe as it was approximately 8.5 billion years ago.

This web image highlights the jellyfish galaxy COSMOS2020-635829, with dashed circles marking four out-of-plane sources in its tail. Image credit: Roberts et al., doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ae3824.

“The jellyfish galaxy derives its name from the long, tentacle-like streams trailing behind it,” explained Dr. Ian Roberts of the University of Waterloo and his team.

“As it travels quickly through the hot, dense galaxy cluster, the gas within the cluster acts like a powerful wind, pushing the jellyfish galaxy’s gas backward and forming a visible trail.”

“This phenomenon is referred to as ram pressure stripping.”

The research team discovered a new jellyfish galaxy through deep-space data captured by the Webb Telescope.

Named COSMOS2020-635829, this galaxy resides in the COSMOS field, a well-explored area of the sky studied extensively by various telescopes.

“While sifting through vast amounts of data from this thoroughly investigated region, we aimed to uncover previously undocumented jellyfish galaxies,” Dr. Roberts noted.

“Early in our analysis, we stumbled upon a distant, uncharted jellyfish galaxy that piqued our interest.”

COSMOS2020-635829 exhibits a typical galactic disk coupled with bright blue nodes in its trajectory, indicative of very young stars.

The ages of these stars suggest they formed in gas trails stripped from their host galaxy, a behavior characteristic of jellyfish galaxies.

Insights from this study challenge established beliefs regarding the conditions in deep space during that era.

Scientists previously thought the galaxy cluster was still in formation and that ram pressure stripping was a rare occurrence.

Dr. Roberts and his co-authors identified three further discoveries that could reshape our understanding of the cosmos.

“The first discovery indicates that the cluster environment was already intense enough to strip galaxies away. Second, the cluster can significantly alter galaxy properties sooner than anticipated,” Roberts explained.

“Finally, these dynamics might play a crucial role in forming the populations of inactive galaxies we observe in today’s galaxy clusters.”

“These findings offer pivotal insight into the evolution of galaxies in the early universe.”

For more details on this discovery, check out the paper published in the Astrophysical Journal.

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Ian D. Roberts et al. 2026. JWST reveals candidate jellyfish galaxy at z = 1.156. APJ 998, 285; doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ae3824

Source: www.sci.news

Revolutionary Metal Extraction Techniques from Fungi on the International Space Station

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

As human space exploration delves deeper into the cosmos, the urgency for sustainable methods to harvest local resources grows, rendering frequent resupply missions increasingly impractical. Asteroids, particularly those abundant in valuable metals like platinum group elements, have become key targets. Recently, scientists conducted a groundbreaking experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS), utilizing bacteria and fungi to extract 44 elements from asteroid materials in microgravity.

NASA astronaut Michael Scott Hopkins conducts microgravity experiments on the International Space Station. Image credit: NASA.

In this innovative project, known as BioAsteroid, Professor Charles Cockell and his team at the University of Edinburgh utilized the bacterial species Sphingomonas desicabilis and the fungus Penicillium simplicissimum to explore which elements could be extracted from L-chondrite asteroid materials.

Understanding microbial interactions with rocks in microgravity is equally essential.

“This is likely the first experiment of its nature using a meteorite on the International Space Station,” states Dr. Rosa Santomartino, a researcher at Cornell University and the University of Edinburgh.

“Our aim was to customize our methodology while ensuring it remained broadly applicable for enhanced efficacy.”

“These two species behave uniquely and extract varied elements.”

“Given the limited knowledge on microbial behavior in space, we aimed to keep our results universally applicable.”

These microorganisms present promising solutions for resource extraction, as they generate carboxylic acids—carbon molecules that bind to minerals and promote their release through complex formation.

Nonetheless, many questions linger regarding this mechanism, leading researchers to conduct a metabolomic analysis. This analysis involved examining liquid cultures from completed experimental samples, focusing on the presence of biomolecules, particularly secondary metabolites.

NASA astronaut Michael Scott Hopkins conducted experiments aboard the ISS to examine microgravity’s effects, while researchers performed controlled experiments on Earth for comparative data.

Substantial data analysis yielded insights into 44 different elements, 18 of which were biologically derived.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of L-chondrite fragments under two gravity conditions. Image credit: Santomartino others., doi: 10.1038/s41526-026-00567-3.

“We drilled down to a single-element analysis and began to question whether extraction processes differ in space versus Earth,” notes Dr. Alessandro Stilpe from Cornell University and the University of Edinburgh.

“Do more elements get extracted in the presence of bacteria, fungi, or both?”

“Is this merely noise? Or do we observe coherent patterns? Differential outcomes were modest but intriguing.”

The analysis highlighted significant metabolic changes in microorganisms, particularly fungi, in space, leading to increased production of carboxylic acids and promoting the release of elements like palladium and platinum.

For several elements, abiotic leaching proved less effective in microgravity compared to Earth, while microorganisms demonstrated consistent extraction results across both environments.

“Microorganisms do not enhance extraction rates directly but maintain extraction levels regardless of gravity,” explains Dr. Santomartino.

“This finding is applicable to not just palladium but many metals, though not all.”

“Interestingly, extraction rates varied significantly by metal type, influenced by microbial and gravitational conditions.”

For detailed insights, refer to the results published in npj microgravity.

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R. Santomartino others. Microbial biomining from asteroid material on the International Space Station. npj microgravity published online on January 30, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41526-026-00567-3

Source: www.sci.news

Homo Erectus Arrived in East Asia Sooner than Previously Believed

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Recent dating of fossilized skulls from the Early Pleistocene site at Unzen, China, indicates that early Homo erectus inhabited East Asia around 1.77 million years ago. This finding suggests that human history in the region extends back at least 670,000 years, raising intriguing possibilities of rapid migration from Africa.

Reconstruction of Homo erectus.

The earliest known fossil of Homo erectus, dating from 1.78 million to 1.85 million years ago, was discovered in Dmanisi, Georgia (Sakartvelo).

However, the earliest evidence of Homo erectus in further eastern regions has long been a subject of debate.

“Historically, Homo erectus, our ancient ancestor, is believed to have originated in Africa before migrating into Eurasia, but the timing of their arrival in East Asia was previously unclear,” said Dr. Christopher Bay from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

“By utilizing findings from Unzen, along with fossil and burial dating techniques, we can now establish a more precise timeline for when these hominins first appeared in East Asia.”

Researchers employed aluminum-26 (Al-26) and beryllium-10 (Be-10) burial dating methods to determine the ages of the Unzen fossils.

“When cosmic rays penetrate quartz minerals, they produce Al-26 and Be-10 isotopes,” explained Dr. Hua Tu from Shantou University and Nanjing Normal University.

“Isotope production ceases once the material is buried deep underground, leading to radioactive decay.”

“By analyzing the decay rates of aluminum and beryllium isotopes and measuring their proportions in sediment surrounding the fossil, we can accurately estimate how long the fossil has been buried.”

This method is significant because the Al-26/Be-10 dating technique allows for accurate dating of materials dating back as far as 5 million years, unlike traditional carbon-14 dating, which is limited to the last 50,000 years.

Earlier dating attempts estimated the Unzen fossils to be approximately 800,000 to 1.1 million years old.

“Our results fundamentally challenge the long-standing beliefs regarding when the earliest human migrations from Africa to Asia occurred,” noted Dr. Bay.

“Although these findings are pivotal, the exact timeline remains a mystery regarding when Homo erectus first and last appeared in this region.”

“If Homo erectus was not the first species to establish residency in Asia, then alternative species must be considered. The latest chronology from Yunxian is a crucial step in resolving these debates.”

For more details, refer to the findings published in the February 20, 2026, issue of the journal Scientific Advances.

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Hua Tu et al. 2026. The oldest Homo erectus skulls in East Asia: The Unzen site is approximately 1.77 million years old. Scientific Advances 12 (8): eady2270; doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ady2270

Source: www.sci.news

Exciting Discovery: New Spinosaurus Species Unearthed in Niger

Posted on February 21, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists Discover the First Distinct Species of Fish-Eating Dinosaur Spinosaurus mirabilis in Over a Century

Spinosaurus mirabilis — One of the last surviving spinosaurids. Image credit: Dani Navarro.

Recently identified as Spinosaurus mirabilis, this remarkable new species thrived during the Cretaceous period, approximately 95 million years ago.

The dinosaur fossil was unearthed by University of Chicago professor Paul Sereno and his team in a remote fossil site located in Jengeb, Niger, deep within the central Sahara desert.

One of the most striking characteristics of Spinosaurus mirabilis is its large, scimitar-shaped skull, which is unprecedented within this group.

“The scimitar-shaped skull was so substantial and surprising that when we first excavated it along with some jaw fragments in November 2019, we didn’t immediately recognize it,” they explained.

“Upon returning in 2022 with an expanded team, we uncovered two additional skulls, confirming the distinctiveness of this new species.”

“Based on the surface texture and internal blood vessels, we believe the skull was once covered in a layer of skin.”

“This display likely featured vibrant colors during its lifetime, curving upward like a blade to attract attention.”

Spinosaurus mirabilis capturing a coelacanth Mawsonia approximately 95 million years ago, near a river in what is now Niger. Image credit: Dani Navarro.

The discovery of Spinosaurus mirabilis challenges longstanding beliefs regarding the habitat and behavior of spinosaur dinosaurs.

Until this finding, most spinosaur fossils had been located in coastal sediments, leading to speculation about their fully aquatic lifestyle.

However, the new fossils from Niger are situated 500 to 1,000 kilometers away from the nearest ancient coastlines.

The researchers suggest that Spinosaurus mirabilis likely inhabited forested inland areas interspersed with rivers.

“I envision this dinosaur as a sort of ‘hell’s heron.’ With its robust legs, it could easily wade through two meters of water but likely spent the majority of its time stalking through shallow waters in search of large fish,” said Professor Sereno.

This pivotal research is detailed in a recently published article in the journal Science: paper.

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Paul C. Sereno et al. describe the new scimitar-shaped Spinosaurus species and its role in the evolution of spinosaurids. Science, published online on February 19, 2026. doi: 10.1126/science.adx5486

Source: www.sci.news

Webb Telescope Uncovers Hidden Layers of Uranus’ Upper Atmosphere

Posted on February 21, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers have successfully mapped the vertical structure of Uranus’ ionosphere for the very first time, uncovering unexpected temperature peaks, a decline in ion density, and enigmatic dark regions influenced by the planet’s unique magnetic field. These groundbreaking findings, achieved through nearly a full day of observations using the NIRSpec instrument aboard NASA/ESA/CSA’s James Webb Space Telescope, confirm a decades-long cooling trend in Uranus’ upper atmosphere and offer an unprecedented look at how this ice giant interacts with its surrounding space differently than other celestial bodies in our solar system.

Tiranti et al. mapped the vertical structure of Uranus’s upper atmosphere, revealing variations in temperature and charged particles across different heights. Image credits: NASA / ESA / CSA / Webb / STScI / P. Tiranti / H. Melin / M. Zamani, ESA & Webb.

Uranus’s upper atmosphere remains one of the least understood components in our solar system, despite its critical role in elucidating the interactions between the giant planet and its space environment.

Astronomer Paola Tiranti from Northumbria University and her team dedicated nearly an entire day to observing Uranus with Webb’s NIRSpec instrument.

They successfully measured the vertical structure of the ionosphere, the electrically charged layer of the atmosphere where auroras occur.

“This is the first time we’ve been able to visualize Uranus’s upper atmosphere in three dimensions,” Tiranti remarked.

“Utilizing Webb’s sensitivity, we can investigate how energy migrates upward through the planet’s atmosphere, even observing the effects of polarized magnetic fields.”

Measurements revealed temperature peaks at approximately 3,000 to 4,000 km above the surface, while ion density peaked around 1,000 km, significantly weaker than previously modeled predictions.

Webb also identified two bright bands of auroral emission located near Uranus’s magnetic poles, along with an unexpected area of depleted emission and density, likely tied to the planet’s unusual magnetic field geometry.

These discoveries confirm a long-term cooling trend in Uranus’ upper atmosphere and highlight new structures shaped by its magnetic environment.

These findings offer critical benchmarks for future missions and enhance our comprehension of how giant planets—both within and beyond our solar system—maintain the energy balance in their upper atmospheres.

“Uranus’ magnetosphere is one of the most peculiar in the solar system,” Tiranti emphasized.

“Its tilt and offset from the planet’s rotational axis cause its auroras to be distributed in a complex fashion across the surface.”

“Webb has provided insights into how deeply these effects penetrate into the atmosphere.”

“By detailing Uranus’s vertical structure so thoroughly, Webb aids in our understanding of the energy balance of the ice giant.”

“This represents a significant step toward characterizing giant planets beyond our solar system.”

For further details, refer to the results published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

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Paola I. Tiranti et al. 2026. JWST uncovers the vertical structure of Uranus’ ionosphere. Geophysical Research Letters 53 (4): e2025GL119304; doi: 10.1029/2025GL119304

Source: www.sci.news