A team of expert archaeologists has unearthed compelling evidence that a remote ruin in the Mexican jungle could be the long-lost Mayan city of Sac Balam. Historically, Sac Balam served as the last stronghold of the Maya following the Spanish conquest.
This significant discovery was unveiled at a recent conference, where the Society for American Archaeology’s team shared insights that might provide a remarkable glimpse into the decline of the Maya civilization.
Professor Yuko Shiratori, an archaeologist at Japan’s Rissho University and the study’s lead researcher, stated in an interview with BBC Science Focus: “Life in Sakkubaram was undoubtedly challenging.” According to historical documents, more than 100 houses were recorded in the year 1694.
The name Sac Balam, translating to “white jaguar” in the Mayan language, was established in 1586 by the Lacandon Chol people as a sanctuary following the Spanish destruction of the regional capital, Lakum Tun.
Mayan culture thrived in this region for over 100 years, ultimately succumbing to Spanish rule in 1695. By 1712, the city fell into abandonment.
One of the most convincing pieces of evidence affirming this as a lost settlement is a wall measuring 16 meters (52 feet) long and 1 meter (3 feet) high. This structure aligns with historical Spanish accounts describing significant communal buildings in Sakbaram that would have hosted public events and gatherings.
Stone walls at the Sol y Paraiso ruins in Chiapas, Mexico. Archaeologists believe these may be remnants of the lost Mayan city of Sac Balam – Photo credit: Yuko Shiratori
Additionally, the archaeological team discovered pottery shards and monkey figurines that date back to the era of Sak Balam.
However, uncertainties remain about the authenticity of this site as a lost refuge. “We need to ascertain whether the 16-meter wall can support the notion of a building’s foundation,” said Shiratori. “To achieve this, we seek to employ AMS carbon dating to identify associated artifacts such as ceramics and charcoal, with a focus on incense burners.”
Spanish historical records indicate that Sakbaram was torched during the conquest. Consequently, a layer of ash beneath the soil could potentially validate whether this is genuinely a lost city.
The recent discovery of fossils, including those of a giant tortoise, ground sloth, a lion-sized armadillo relative known as pampatea, a striped-toothed cat, and others such as horses, camels, and mastodons in Bender’s Cave on Texas’ Edwards Plateau, may unveil a previously unknown warm period about 100,000 years ago.
An artistic representation of Ice Age mammals: Fossils of species resembling the armadillo-like pampatea and giant sloth were found in a Texas water cave. Image credit: Jaime Chirinos.
Bender’s Cave, situated on private land in Comal County, serves as a crucial fossil repository. This underground water channel, significant for central Texas’ groundwater system, is reported to be dense with fossils.
“I’ve never encountered a cave with so many fossils scattered around. The bones were literally everywhere,” commented John Moretti, a paleontologist at the University of Texas at Austin.
The bones were believed to have entered the cave through a sinkhole triggered by erosion and flooding thousands of years ago, where they have been preserved ever since.
“Evidence suggests that these fossils could be from the last warm interglacial phase, approximately 100,000 years ago,” Dr. Moretti stated.
“Despite extensive paleontological studies in the area over the past century, no fossils from this epoch had been previously identified in central Texas.”
“This discovery is providing invaluable insights, showcasing the area’s unique environmental and animal communities, which are unlike anything documented before in Texas.”
Dr. Moretti and local caver John Young extracted fossils from 21 distinct zones within Bender’s Cave.
To access the fossils, we donned goggles and snorkels, crawling along the riverbed where collecting was effortless—simply pulling bones from the river’s bottom without needing to excavate them.
Remarkable finds include hespero test do giant tortoise bones, giant sloth Megalonix Jeffer Sonnypanpasser, and remains from scimitar-toothed cats homotherium serum, horses, camels, and mastodons.
All fossils displayed a polished, rounded appearance with comparable rust-red mineralization, indicating they were deposited in the cave at roughly the same time.
“This study highlights the fact that even in a well-explored region like central Texas, new discoveries continue to emerge,” commented Dr. David Ledesma from St. Edward’s University, not involved in the research.
The team’s findings are published in the journal Quaternary Research, detailing how these late Pleistocene megafauna could hold evidence of the last interglacial period. For more information, visit the published study.
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John A. Moretti and John Young. 2026. Discovery of late Pleistocene megafauna at Bender’s Cave on the Edwards Plateau in Texas may indicate evidence of the last interglacial period. Quaternary Research 131: 134-160; doi: 10.1017/qua.2025.10071
Utilizing environmental DNA (eDNA) from depths exceeding 4 km off the coast of Western Australia’s Ningaloo, researchers have identified an astounding 226 species spanning 11 major animal groups. This includes remarkable finds like the giant squid, which hasn’t been previously documented in the region, as well as species believed to be new to science.
When a giant squid, measuring 10 to 12 feet long, approaches Medusa’s e-jelly lure, it realizes the e-jelly is not bait and retreats. Image credit: Edie Widder and Nathan Robinson.
“Our findings underscore the vast unknowns within Australia’s deep sea ecosystems,” stated Dr. Georgia Nester, the lead researcher from Curtin University, now enrolled at the University of Western Australia.
Dr. Nester and her team from the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falco conducted a survey of the Cape Ranges and Croats submarine canyon, roughly 1,200 km north of Perth, collecting over 1,000 samples from depths as deep as 4,510 m.
Employing eDNA techniques, they documented the species inhabiting these deep-sea environments without direct observation or capture.
Among their significant discoveries was evidence of the giant squid (Architeuthis dux), detected across six separate samples from both the Cape Mountains and Cloetes Valley, alongside pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) and beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris).
“Only two previous records of giant squid exist in Western Australia, with no sightings for over 25 years,” noted Dr. Lisa Kirkendale from the Western Australian Museum.
“This marks the first detection of a giant squid using the eDNA protocol along the coast of Western Australia and represents the northernmost record of Architeuthis dux in the eastern Indian Ocean.”
Overall, researchers recorded a total of 226 species from 11 major animal groups, which included rare deep-sea fish, cnidarians, echinoderms, squid, marine mammals, and many more.
They also identified numerous species in Western Australian waters, such as the sleeper shark, previously unrecorded, as well as the faceless cask eel (Typhronus) and thin snaggletooth (Ladinastes demus).
“While the discovery of giant squid captivates public imagination, it’s part of a broader ecological puzzle,” explained Dr. Nester.
“We found numerous species that don’t align with existing records, indicating a significant scope of deep-sea biodiversity that remains to be uncovered.”
Curtin University researcher Dr. Zoe Richards noted, “eDNA has the potential to revolutionize how scientists explore and conserve deep-sea environments.”
“These ecosystems are vast, remote, and costly to study, yet they confront increasing threats from climate change, fishing, and resource extraction.”
“eDNA offers a scalable, non-invasive method to gain essential insights into the organisms residing there, crucial for informed conservation efforts.”
“You can’t protect what you don’t know exists. The sheer volume of discoveries, including megafauna, emphasizes that we have much to learn about marine life in the Indian Ocean.”
The team’s findings are published in the journal Environmental DNA.
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Georgia M. Nester et al. 2026. Environmental DNA reveals diverse and expanding biodiversity in underwater canyons in the eastern Indian Ocean. Environmental DNA 8 (2): e70261; doi: 10.1002/edn3.70261
Among the fascinating and peculiar animals residing in the deep sea, perhaps the most captivating are those elusive creatures that occasionally grace deep-water cameras, only to vanish into the abyss before scientists can investigate further.
Many of these enigmatic animals have yet to be classified by researchers, including a peculiar squid that features elbows, large undulating fins, and long, spaghetti-like tentacles.
Squid specialists have analyzed available footage and largely theorize that these specimens belong to the bluefin squid family, specifically the Magnapinidae. This family was initially identified in 1998 from a handful of rare squid larvae.
No adult bluefin squid have ever been captured with a net; they have only been documented through photography.
While adult squid resemble their larvae counterpart, definitive relationships remain uncertain until a specimen is brought to the surface.
Nevertheless, deep-sea scientists continue to speculate about the lives of these mysterious squids. The characteristic “elbow stance” (illustrated below) is commonly employed by bluefin squid to capture prey.
When hunting, they extend their arms and tentacles away from their bodies, spreading them out like spider legs and bending them at 90 degrees. Meanwhile, the remaining tentacles trail through the water, likely creating a wide net to passively ensnare prey.
In 2024, a bluefin squid was observed traversing the ocean floor on its tentacles in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, possibly in search of food. At one point, the squid’s sticky tentacles seemed to get caught on something out of the camera’s frame. It amusingly tugged at the obstruction for several seconds until it freed itself and swam off.
This squid was documented at approximately 3,300 meters (10,830 feet) deep. Another specimen was recorded nearly double that depth, at 6,212 meters (20,380 feet) in the Philippine Trench, marking it as the deepest squid ever noted.
Caught only on camera, no adult bluefin squid has ever been captured with a net. – Image credit: Christa Rabenold
Its relative, the dumbo octopus, which swims using fins resembling giant elephant ears, dives even deeper, having been spotted near 7,000 meters (23,000 feet).
Bluefin squid have been photographed in various locations worldwide, including Brazil, West Africa, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Indian Ocean. This wide distribution suggests that this family may consist of multiple species.
In 2015 and 2017, research in the Great Australian Bight involved towing a camera through deep waters ranging from 900 to 3,000 meters (approximately 2,950 to 9,840 feet). During this study, the bluefin squid was captured on camera five times, marking the first sighting in Australian waters.
These squids exhibit impressive features when they showcase their tentacles, often much longer than their bodies; however, they are relatively small. The squid photographed in Australia measured between 6 to 15 centimeters (about 2 to 6 inches) long, with tentacles extending up to 1.5 meters (almost 5 feet).
Yet, the possibility remains that larger bluefin squids are still lurking, hidden in the vast ocean depths just out of view.
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In the past 15 years, the discovery of circumbinary planets—exoplanets orbiting binary stars—has been firmly established. Thanks to observations from NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope and the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), a total of 14 such planets have been identified using the transit method. Recently, innovative techniques applied to TESS data have unveiled 27 new orbiting star candidates, indicating that these unique planetary systems may be more prevalent than previously thought.
Artist’s impression of an orbiting exoplanet and its two parent stars. Image credit: Sci.News.
The newly identified planet candidates range from sizes comparable to Neptune to those with masses up to 10 times that of Jupiter.
The closest candidate is located approximately 650 light-years away from Earth, while the farthest is about 18,000 light-years distant.
“Candidates are distributed across both the southern and northern skies,” said study co-author Ben Montet, an astronomer at the University of New South Wales. “This means that if you have a telescope, at least one of these systems will be observable regardless of the time of year.”
“We discovered 27 planet candidates out of 1,590 binary systems, which signifies nearly 2% of these binary systems have the potential for hosting planets.”
“This could translate into thousands, or even tens of thousands, of planets waiting to be uncovered through data from the new 10-year sky survey conducted by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, known as the Space-Time Heritage Survey.”
“This represents a thrilling first step, revealing the significant work that lies ahead in the coming years.”
The team’s novel planet-detection technique, referred to as posterior body precession, has been used in the past to characterize binary stars but was previously unutilized for large-scale exoplanet searches.
This method involves monitoring the long-term changes in the orbits of visible binary stars due to stellar eclipses. Variations in the timing of these eclipses—unexplainable by general relativity or stellar interactions—suggest a third object, possibly a planet, may be influencing the star’s orbit.
“A significant portion of our current understanding of planets is based on biased detection methods,” states lead author Dr. Margo Thornton, a candidate at the University of New South Wales. “We’ve primarily identified those that are the simplest to detect.”
“This innovative method has the potential to reveal a multitude of hidden planets, particularly those that are not perfectly aligned to our line of sight.”
“It may help illuminate the true distribution of planets in our universe,” added Dr. Montet. “We are enthusiastic about the number of planets we could uncover using this approach.”
“Our preliminary research suggested that we would find 27 candidates at this stage, but we are thrilled to have achieved that.”
“We’re now embarking on an exciting project to validate which of these planets are indeed real.”
The team’s findings will be published in Royal Astronomical Society Monthly Notices.
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Margo Thornton et al. 2026. 27 circumbinary planet candidates detected through posterior body precession of eclipsing binaries observed by TESS. MNRAS 548 (3): stag515; doi: 10.1093/mnras/stag515
Newly discovered Neoazhdarchian pterosaur footprints in South Korea unveil critical insights into the hunting behaviors of some of the largest flying reptiles.
Life reconstruction of Jinjuichnus procerus and its tetrapod trackmaker, showcasing how Neoazhdarchian pterosaurs hunted small vertebrates. Image credit: Jun Soon-yi.
Pterosaurs, recognized as the first vertebrates to achieve powered flight, are often portrayed soaring over ancient oceans.
However, paleontologists have long posited that many pterosaur species spent considerable time on land, pursuing prey similarly to modern wading birds.
Despite this, concrete evidence supporting such behavior has remained scarce.
“Pterosaurs played vital roles in the Mesozoic ecosystem, flourishing from the late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous,” stated Dr. Jeongyun Jeong from the University of Texas at Austin, along with collaborators from the Korea Dinosaur Research Center at Chonnam University.
“They occupied diverse ecological niches and showcased varied dietary adaptations.”
Specifically, Neo Azhdarchia species, including Thalaminoptera, Hemiptera, and Azhdarchidae, are thought to be primarily terrestrial carnivorous hunters based on their anatomical features and fossil evidence.
“These insights suggest some groups may have utilized hunting strategies akin to modern terrestrial stalkers such as storks and cranes.”
Nonetheless, the fossil record has not yet yielded direct evidence of pterosaurs preying on land.
Jinjuichnus procerus footprints and associated small vertebrate tracks preserved on a single slab. Image credit: Chong et al., doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-48019-y.
The newly identified footprints, dating back 106 million years, are preserved in the Jinju Formation, potentially shedding light on this behavioral gap.
These large, asymmetrical tracks with elongated fingers are attributed to Neoazhdarchian pterosaurs, specifically Jinjuichnus procerus.
The footprints are situated in close proximity to other tracks likely made by small terrestrial animals, such as salamanders or lizards, suggesting possible prehistoric interactions.
The animal’s track indicates a sudden change in direction and a noticeable increase in stride length, hinting at a fast burst of movement.
Pterosaurs displayed impressive speed for their size, moving at approximately 0.8 meters per second.
This aligns with the theory that Neoazhdarchians were highly adapted as terrestrial predators.
However, the possibility of coincidental association between these tracks cannot be dismissed.
“This correlation presents significant ichthyological evidence of terrestrial vertebrate interactions with pterosaurs,” the paleontologists concluded.
“Yet, direct communication between the trackmakers remains difficult to ascertain, as alternative interpretations of these tracks exist.”
“Paired trackways offer valuable insights into factors to consider when evaluating potential interactions involving trackmakers.”
“While scenarios like predation remain uncertain, they highlight the complexities involved in interpreting behavioral associations preserved in ancient trackways.”
The research team’s study is published in the journal Scientific Reports.
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J. Jung et al. 2026. New large pterosaur footprints from Korea and implications for terrestrial behavior. Scientific Reports 16, 12363; doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-48019-y
Stunning Artist’s Impression of a Star with Two Exoplanets Transiting
Credit: NASA, ESA, and G. Bacon (STScI)
Astronomers have discovered over 10,000 candidate planets using data from NASA’s telescopes, representing the largest number ever noted in a single observation.
NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), launched in 2018, specializes in searching for exoplanets—planets orbiting stars outside our solar system. Exoplanets are detected by observing temporary decreases in brightness from stars, indicating that an orbiting planet has moved in front of the star.
To date, TESS has confirmed more than 750 exoplanets, with thousands more candidates awaiting validation. The aggregate number of confirmed exoplanets by various telescopes has now surpassed 6,000.
Joshua Roth and researchers at Princeton University reported an even higher potential count by re-evaluating TESS’s first year of data. By merging images from different telescopes, they identified planets that are less luminous, whether due to their smaller size or greater distance from Earth. This effort has uncovered 11,554 candidate exoplanets, 10,091 of which weren’t previously acknowledged.
“Predictions indicated there were likely thousands of undiscovered planets within TESS data,” says Roth. “We simply hadn’t searched thoroughly enough yet.”
These newly identified planets extend up to 6,800 light-years from Earth, reaching deeper into the galaxy than TESS previously could. More than 90% of these new findings are categorized as ‘hot Jupiters’, gas giants orbiting extremely close to their stars in just a few days. TESS is particularly adept at detecting such worlds. Smaller variants, including Neptune-like planets and super-Earths, are also among the findings.
However, not all candidates are confirmed exoplanets. Each must be monitored using additional telescopes, as some signals may be false positives due to factors like binary stars. “The false positive rate for TESS is typically around 50%,” Roth states, estimating there could be a maximum of 5,000 genuine planets, but cautions that perhaps only 3,000 truly exist.
Nonetheless, this wealth of data could effectively double the known exoplanet count in the universe. Jesse Christiansen, the lead scientist at NASA’s Exoplanet Science Institute, emphasizes the importance of these discoveries for understanding exoplanet formation. “The more exoplanets we have, the better we can analyze and differentiate them,” she notes, highlighting the diverse types of ‘Jupiters’ different stars produce. “These are essential questions we can address with a sizable sample.”
Additionally, there are many more planets in the TESS data that await discovery, including around 8,000 previously identified candidates still under investigation. “We always anticipated that eventually thousands of planets would be revealed,” Christiansen predicted, suggesting that TESS could ultimately confirm between 12,000 and 15,000 planets. “I’ve eagerly awaited a document like this for quite some time.”
NASA’s Curiosity rover has discovered over 20 carbon-containing compounds, including seven previously unseen on Mars, from 3.5 billion-year-old clay-rich sandstone in Gale Crater.
A close-up of three holes drilled by Curiosity into Martian rock in October 2020 at a site named after Mary Anning. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS.
The drilled rock sample, named Mary Anning 3 in honor of the British fossil collector and paleontologist, comes from a region of Mount Sharp that was once abundant in lakes and streams billions of years ago.
This ancient environment underwent cycles of flooding and drying, which eventually enriched the area with clay minerals adept at preserving organic matter.
Among the newly identified compounds are nitrogen heterocycles—a type of ring structure containing carbon and nitrogen—believed to be precursors to crucial nucleic acids like RNA and DNA.
Dr. Amy Williams from the University of Florida stated, “This discovery is significant as these structures could be chemical precursors to more complex nitrogenous molecules.” She further explained that nitrogen heterocycles have never been recorded on Mars until now, nor have they been identified in Martian meteorites.
Another fascinating finding is benzothiophene, a molecule composed of carbon and sulfur, commonly found in many meteorites. Some scientists think that these meteorites, along with their organic compounds, may have contributed to prebiotic chemistry across the early solar system.
Dr. Ashwin Vasavada from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory emphasized the teamwork involved: “It required dozens of scientists and engineers to identify this site, drill samples, and achieve these remarkable discoveries with our advanced robotic technologies.”
This collection of organic molecules ignites the possibility that Mars may have harbored life in the distant past.
The analysis of the Mary Anning 3 sample was conducted in a sophisticated mini-lab known as Sample Analysis of Mars (SAM), housed within Curiosity’s body.
A drill at the end of the rover’s robotic arm carefully grinds selected rock samples into powder, which is then deposited into the SAM. Here, the samples are heated in a high-temperature oven that liberates gases, enabling laboratory equipment to analyze the rock’s chemical composition.
Moreover, SAM is capable of performing “wet chemistry,” where samples are mixed with a solvent in small cups, allowing large complex molecules to break down for easier detection.
Among the cups, only two are filled with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), a powerful solution earmarked for the most significant samples. The Mary Anning 3 sample was the first to undergo TMAH treatment.
To verify TMAH’s reactions with extraterrestrial materials, researchers also tested this method on Earth with a fraction of the Murchison meteorite—one of the most studied meteorites, aged over 4 billion years, containing vital organic molecules from the early solar system.
Tests revealed that Murchison samples reacted with TMAH to break down larger molecules into smaller ones, including the benzothiophene found in Mary Anning 3, reinforcing the idea that these Martian compounds may originate from more complex molecules linked to life.
The spatial distribution analysis of organic materials is currently limited within SAM, leaving unclear whether the identified compounds stem from meteorite deposits or were formed abiotically through processes like serpentinization or electrochemical reactions. Nevertheless, the verification of macromolecular organics suggests that future optimized TMAH thermochemical experiments may unlock ancient biosignatures preserved within Martian macromolecules.
The diverse structural characteristics of organic molecules observed directly from surface materials indicate that some chemical diversity has been maintained in ancient Martian sediments, even after more than 3.5 billion years of geological changes and radiation exposure.
“These findings expand the inventory of organic molecules recognized as preserved at the Martian surface over deep geological time, supporting the existence of polymeric carbon on Mars,” the scientists concluded.
For further information, refer to the findings published in the Journal on April 21, 2026, in Nature Communications.
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AJ Williams et al. 2026. The first SAM TMAH experiment reveals a diverse array of organic molecules on Mars. Nat Commune 17, 2748; doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-70656-0
A continent-like shelf beneath Mars’ surface indicates that a vast ocean may have once covered up to one-third of the planet, reigniting a long-standing debate about Mars’ watery past.
Artist’s impression of Mars as it appeared around 4 billion years ago. Credit: M. Kornmesser / ESO.
While it is widely accepted that Mars had some liquid water on its surface, the existence of long-lasting oceans remains uncertain. It’s debated whether water existed solely in lakes and streams or whether significant oceans formed during Mars’ history.
Previous Mars missions have identified geological features resembling coastlines, but their subtlety and varying elevations complicate their interpretation.
Real coastlines would exhibit consistent elevation across the globe, similar to Earth’s sea level. However, observations suggest otherwise.
“If Mars had an ocean, it likely dried up billions of years ago, more than half of Mars’ age,” states Michael Lamb, a professor at the California Institute of Technology.
“Earth has very few features that are billions of years old, especially after continuous erosion and disturbances over time,” he adds.
“We sought terrain that could provide stronger evidence of such an ancient ocean.”
Illustration from orbiter data showing the coastal shelf region of Mars, a hallmark of global oceans formed over extended periods. Image credit: A. Zaki.
Professor Lamb and Dr. Abdallah Zaki from the California Institute of Technology and the University of Texas at Austin analyzed Earth’s geological features to find indicators of past oceans.
Using computer simulations, they drained ocean models to assess the remaining terrain.
The simulations revealed that a distinct flat landmass, known as the continental shelf, surrounds the region where land meets sea, akin to a ring left by a drained bathtub.
While sea levels have fluctuated on Earth, continental shelves have remained stable, which supports the hypothesis of an ancient Martian ocean.
The researchers utilized topography data from Mars orbiters, discovering similar shelf formations in the northern hemisphere, hinting at an ocean covering a significant portion of the planet.
Such landforms take considerable time to form and are rare in lake environments, supporting the theory of a stable ocean existing for millions of years.
Additionally, evidence of river deltas and coastal features known as “bathtubbling” shelves were observed.
“The discovery of the shelf is a vital observation that consolidates the evidence for a Martian coastal zone,” Dr. Zaki commented.
“This previously overlooked aspect strengthens the case for a northern ocean on Mars, leading to further studies on deposits and satellite data.”
For further details, refer to the publication in Nature.
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Zaki, A. & Ram, M.P. Identifying topographical features of the early Martian ocean. Nature, published online April 15, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41586-026-10381-2
CT scans of specimens from the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History have unveiled a new species of short-nosed crocodilian with remarkably robust jaws, offering a glimpse into late Triassic ecological specialization.
Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa (left) is disturbed by Hesperosuchus agilis (right) near the carcass of Coelophysis at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, USA. Image credit: Julio Lacerda.
Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa thrived 210 million years ago, inhabiting areas near rivers and lakes in present-day New Mexico, USA.
This ancient reptile was known for its speed, featuring large hind legs and small, slender arms.
Characterized by a short snout, a heavily fortified skull, and powerful jaw muscles, Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa was adept at swiftly catching sizable prey.
“This discovery highlights the early diversification of primitive crocodiles at the onset of the reptilian era,” stated Dr. Bart Anjan Brar, a paleontologist at Yale University and the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History.
“During this Late Triassic period, two dominating reptilian lineages were emerging: one lineage led to modern crocodiles, while the other gave rise to birds—and, eventually, dinosaurs.”
In contrast to dinosaurs of that time, which were slender and agile, resembling herons, ancient crocodiles were robust four-legged predators, sharing physical traits with jackals and large foxes.
The holotype specimen of Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa comprises its skull, lower jaw, spine, limbs, and sections of its armor.
Discovered in 1948 at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, this fossil remained largely unexplored for 75 years until now.
Phylogenetic analysis positions Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa near the base of Crocodylomorpha, outside a clade that also includes the small crocodilian, Hesperosuchus agilis.
This positioning suggests that its distinct traits evolved early in crocodilian history.
The fossilized remains indicate that Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa coexisted with Hesperosuchus agilis, hinting at early ecological niche differentiation among similarly sized terrestrial predators.
“Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa is one of the few well-preserved relatives of early crocodilians, representing the ‘dawn’ of functional diversification within the lineage leading to modern crocodiles,” noted Miranda Margulis Onuma, a doctoral student at Yale University.
“Beyond its unique anatomy and preservation history, this specimen underscores the potential of existing museum collections to unveil new insights into life’s history.”
Notably, the discovery provides a rare look into an ancient ecosystem where biodiversity flourished, and species exhibited specialized feeding structures to fulfill distinct ecological roles.
The research team’s study appears this month in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
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Miranda Margulis Onuma et al. 2026. Short-snouted phenosuchids with unusual feeding anatomy indicate that ecological specialization occurred early in crocodilian evolution. Proc Biol Sci 293 (2069): 20260130; doi: 10.1098/rspb.2026.0130
Artist’s Impression of Comet 41P Approaching the Sun.
Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Ralph Crawford (STScI)
A recently observed small comet has made history by changing its rotation direction, a first for astronomers. This intriguing phenomenon provides insights into the comet’s interior, potentially illuminating the composition of the early solar system.
Known as Comet 41P/Tuttle-Jacobini-Krezak or simply 41P, this comet spans about 1 kilometer in diameter and completes an orbit around the Sun approximately every 5.4 years. It becomes visible as it approaches the inner solar system, with its last appearance recorded in 2017.
In March 2017, Comet 41P was observed spinning roughly every 20 hours. However, astronomers noted a significant deceleration by May, with a rotation period extending to between 46 to 60 hours. A team led by David Jewitt from the University of California, Los Angeles, analyzed Hubble Space Telescope data from December 2017 and discovered that the comet’s rotation has accelerated again, now completing a rotation roughly every 14 hours.
The prevailing theory suggests that the comet’s rotation slowed to a halt, at which point it began rotating in the opposite direction. This dramatic shift is attributed to sunlight sublimating ice on its surface, transforming it into gas that behaves like a jet. If this jet propels in the opposite direction, it can decelerate the comet and eventually reverse its rotation.
“This is the first documented instance of a rapid change in the rotation direction of a celestial object,” asserts Dmitri Vavilov, a researcher at the University of Washington in Seattle. Typically, substantial changes in celestial body rotations, even for a small comet like 41P, span decades or centuries.
“Tracking 41P’s next appearance from late 2027 to early 2028 will be fascinating,” says John Noonan from Auburn University in Alabama. “Our goal is to determine whether these comets risk destruction due to rotational stress.” If Comet 41P spins too rapidly, it risks disintegrating.
“This comet’s core is anticipated to self-destruct shortly,” explains Jewitt in a recent statement. In fact, such disintegration might already be occurring. This event could present a remarkable opportunity to examine the inner composition of comets that have remained unchanged since the solar system’s formation, yielding critical insights into the early solar system’s chemical landscape.
A groundbreaking discovery involving rare particles formed from high-energy proton collisions may illuminate one of physics’ greatest enigmas: the emergence of mass from empty space. This finding could reshape our understanding of particle mass acquisition.
According to quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the prevailing theory describing the strong forces binding quarks in protons and neutrons, a vacuum is not empty; it teems with transient disturbances in the underlying energy of space, known as virtual particles. These disturbances include fleeting quark-antiquark pairs.
While these pairs typically vanish as soon as they appear, QCD posits that injecting sufficient energy into the vacuum can transform them into real, detectable particles with mass.
The STAR Collaboration, an international group of physicists at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider in New York, has successfully observed this intriguing phenomenon for the first time.
By bombarding protons in a vacuum, they created a spray of particles, anticipating that some would be quark-antiquark pairs originating from the vacuum. However, as quarks cannot exist independently, they rapidly amalgamate into composite particles.
Luckily for the researchers, these specific particles reveal clues about their formation. Quarks and antiquarks exhibit correlated spins, reflecting their shared quantum state inherited from the vacuum.
The researchers discovered that this spin correlation remains intact even as the quarks and antiquarks evolve into larger particles known as hyperons, which decay in less than a billionth of a second. Identifying these spin-aligned hyperons following proton collisions confirmed that their constituent quarks originated from the vacuum.
“This is the first time I’ve witnessed the entire process,” remarked Tu Chowdungmin, a member of the STAR collaboration.
“I’m thrilled to see this measurement,” added Daniel Bohr, who was not part of the research team and is affiliated with the University of Groningen, Netherlands. He noted that many mysteries still loom around quarks, such as their inability to exist isolated. “This experiment is particularly intriguing for that reason.”
Tu believes this research opens new avenues to directly examine vacuum properties, potentially enabling scientists to investigate how particles acquire mass. QCD theory suggests that quarks gain additional mass by interacting with the vacuum, though the exact mechanisms remain unclear.
Alessandro Bachetta, a researcher at the University of Pavia in Italy, emphasized that the results are not yet definitive, as reconstructing particle collision events can be convoluted. Researchers must first effectively eliminate alternative explanations that could produce similar signals, he stated.
Exciting new findings reveal that the star SDSS J0715-7334, formed in the halo of the Large Magellanic Cloud, migrated to the Milky Way billions of years ago, as uncovered by a dedicated team of undergraduate students at the University of Chicago.
Milky Way Galaxy illustrating the position of SDSS J0715-7334. The red line represents the star’s path, while the blue line indicates the expected trajectory for stars formed in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Image credits: Vedant Chandra / SDSS Collaboration / ESA / Gaia / A. Moitinho, AF Silva, M. Barros, C. Barata, University of Lisbon / H. Savietto, Fork Research.
The Big Bang initiated the universe, creating a hot, dense soup of energetic particles.
As the universe expanded, this primordial material cooled, leading to the formation of neutral hydrogen gas.
Denser regions of this gas collapsed under gravity after hundreds of millions of years, resulting in the birth of the universe’s first stars made of hydrogen and helium.
These ancient stars burned brightly but lived fast, generating heavier elements through nuclear fusion, which were dispersed into the cosmos upon their explosive deaths.
This enriched material then contributed to the formation of subsequent stars that were diverse in their elemental composition.
“Heavy elements, referred to as metals by astronomers, were produced through stellar activities, including nuclear fusion and supernova blasts,” noted Alex Gee, a professor at the University of Chicago.
“The discovery of a star with extremely low metal content indicated to the students that they had found something extraordinary.”
SDSS J0715-7334 is remarkable, containing only 0.005% of the metal content found in our Sun, making it the least metallic star ever recorded, surpassing the previous record holder by over double.
This star, identified using data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), is located approximately 80,000 light-years from Earth.
Its orbital analysis confirms its origin in the Large Magellanic Cloud, from where it journeyed into the Milky Way billions of years ago.
“This ancient celestial traveler provides invaluable insights into the conditions of the early universe,” said Professor Gee.
“Big data initiatives like SDSS empower students to take part in groundbreaking discoveries.”
“We studied a variety of elements within this star, and we found all of them to have very low abundances,” explained Ha Do, one of the University of Chicago students involved in the discovery.
The team’s research paper is published in the journal Nature Astronomy.
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AP via others. A near-primitive star from the Large Magellanic Cloud. Nat Astron published online on April 3, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41550-026-02816-7
Astronomers at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory have identified over 11,000 new asteroids, including hundreds of trans-Neptunian objects and 33 previously unknown near-Earth asteroids (NEOs).
A model of the solar system highlighting asteroids discovered by Rubin in bright blue-green, while known asteroids appear in dark blue. Image credits: NSF / DOE / Vera C. Rubin Observatory / NOIRLab / SLAC / AURA / R. Proctor / NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Science Visualization Studio / ESA / Gaia / DPAC / M. Zamani, NSF’s NOIRLab.
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has compiled a groundbreaking dataset featuring nearly 1 million observations of over 11,000 newly discovered asteroids along with more than 80,000 known asteroids collected over a short period of six weeks.
This data has been submitted to the Minor Planet Center (MPC) as the observatory gears up for future discoveries.
Dr. Mario Juric, Rubin Solar System Principal Scientist and astronomer at the University of Washington, remarked, “This initial major submission following the Rubin First Look is just the beginning, demonstrating that the observatory is fully operational.”
“What once took years or even decades to discover, Rubin will unveil in mere months,” he added.
“We are on the path to fulfilling Rubin’s mission to revolutionize our understanding of the solar system and pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries yet to be anticipated.”
The newly cataloged objects include 33 previously unknown near-Earth objects (NEOs), which are classified as small asteroids or comets that come within 1.3 times the Earth-Sun distance.
Importantly, none of the newly found NEOs present any threat to Earth, with the largest measuring approximately 500 meters across.
This dataset also contains around 380 trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs), which are icy bodies orbiting far beyond Neptune.
Among these TNOs, two (tentatively designated 2025 LS2 and 2025 MX348) were observed in extensive and elongated orbits.
At their furthest points, these objects are nearly 1,000 times further from the Sun than Earth, ranking them among the 30 most distant known asteroids.
Dr. Matthew Holman, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, explained, “Searching for TNOs resembles looking for a needle in a haystack. We required innovative algorithms to assist computers in sifting through billions of combinations from millions of flickering light sources in the night sky to identify potential distant worlds in our solar system.”
“Such discoveries provide exciting insights into the outermost realms of the solar system, including how planets migrated during the early solar system’s formation and the lingering possibility of a still undiscovered ninth large planet,” Dr. Kevin Napier, also from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, added.
The Tasmanian tiger (Thylacine) and the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) are believed to have gone extinct on mainland Australia approximately 3,000 years ago. Currently, only 23 pieces of rock art featuring the Tasmanian devil and around 150 artworks depicting the Tasmanian tiger exist, mostly found at rock art sites in northern Australia. Recent discoveries in Arnhem Land, located in the Northern Territory of northwestern Australia, have unveiled 14 new images of previously undocumented Tasmanian tigers or quolls, along with two images of Tasmanian devils, with some dating back less than 1,000 years.
A naturalistic-style depiction of a Tasmanian tiger from Injarrak Hills, Northern Territory, Australia. Image credit: Craig Banggar.
The recently documented paintings of the Tasmanian tiger and devil are believed to date back approximately 15,000 years, rendered in various Aboriginal art styles using red and sometimes yellow ocher.
Additionally, artists utilized white pipe clay, which deteriorates over time and does not stain the rocks, making most white paintings less than 1,000 years old.
“The quoll was more widely dispersed across mainland Australia than the Tasmanian devil and held greater cultural significance, with only 25 recorded images of the Tasmanian devil compared to over 160 depictions of the quoll,” explained lead author Professor Paul Tassone from Griffith University.
“Those who painted more recent artworks may have actually observed live quolls, indicating some may have survived longer in Arnhem Land.”
“Alternatively, they could have drawn inspiration from older paintings.”
“Regardless, the quoll remains culturally significant today, with contemporary artists depicting Tasmanian tigers on bark, paper, and canvas, referred to as ‘Junkirk’.
“Retouched paintings in the region highlight the importance of these animals through generations,” added co-author Dr. Andrea Giarandoni, also from Griffith University.
“This petroglyph rock art provides crucial insights into historical human interactions with these animals.”
“These representations indicate that the quoll held a vital role in local culture and knowledge long before its extinction.”
Local oral traditions suggest that the Tasmanian tiger was symbolically linked to the Rainbow Serpent, often associated with water bodies.
“These creatures were integral to our ancestors’ lives,” remarked co-author Joey Ganjimira, a Jarama from western Arnhem Land.
“They frequently spoke of hunting alongside the possums.”
“Our study demonstrates that sugar gliders hold contemporary relevance in the region for both scientists and traditional communities,” said Professor Tassone.
“The sugar glider remains a living entity in western Arnhem Land, symbolizing ongoing cultural significance rather than merely being a relic of the past.”
This groundbreaking research is detailed in the following article: paper published in the latest issue of Archeology of Oceania.
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Paul SC Tasson et al. The Devil is in the Details: Photographic Records of Tasmanian Devils and Tasmanian Tigers from Aungbana and Injarak Hill, Northern Territory, Australia. Archeology of Oceania, published online March 30, 2026. doi: 10.1002/arco.70024
An artist’s reconstruction of an ancient marine ecosystem preserved in the Jiangchuan biota.
Wang Xiaodong
Recent discoveries of a vast array of exquisitely preserved fossils in China have led to new insights regarding the Cambrian Explosion, which is traditionally viewed as a rapid evolutionary event marking the emergence of complex life.
Spanning roughly 541 to 513 million years ago, the Cambrian Explosion is regarded as the period when most modern animal groups first appeared, alongside various now-extinct evolutionary experiments.
Previously, during the Ediacaran period, life was believed to be simpler. However, findings from a new fossil site in Yunnan, known as the Jiangchuan biota, challenge this view, presenting over 700 fossils dating back to 554 to 537 million years ago.
“Our findings indicate that Cambrian-like faunal assemblages did not appear out of nowhere but had a clear foundation and transitional morphology by the end of the Ediacaran,” states Gaorong Li, the lead researcher from Yunnan University, Kunming, China.
Ross Anderson, another team member and professor at the University of Oxford, noted that the surprisingly intricate nature of the fossils raises intriguing questions about whether the Cambrian explosion was a gradual process.
“We are beginning to construct a more complex understanding of the origins and timing of the explosion in animal diversity,” Anderson explains.
When Lee initiated investigations at the site in mid-2022, he anticipated finding algae.
Instead, researchers uncovered a variety of organisms called bilaterians, characterized by bilateral symmetry. Only a limited number of such specimens had previously been found during the Ediacaran; among these are two new species of deuterostomes, a key group that includes vertebrates, suggesting that this group was already diverse long before the Cambrian.
Cambroelnid fossil from the Jiangchuan biota and artist’s reconstruction.
Li Gaolong & Wang Xiaodong
Some fossils were identified as Cambroelniids, featuring coiled bodies and long, tentacle-like appendages not previously documented before the Cambrian period. Others closely resemble Cambrian creatures such as Margaretia, which resembles a tubular structure with an opening, creating the appearance of an organism living within a ventilation pipe, according to Lee.
Lee noted that the most common fossils discovered were animals with tubular appendages anchored to the seafloor, extending outward in search of sustenance—some reminiscent of sandworms depicted in the sci-fi series Dune.
“This indicates that these animals lived attached to the ocean floor while extending structures for foraging,” Lee explained. “Additionally, a species resembling a sausage-shaped worm with a short, thick, curved body displayed clear locomotion.”
Ultimately, these peculiar yet familiar organisms may represent “evolutionary experiments” from a period when life was exploring various body designs and ecological strategies.
“Although these creatures exhibit key features found in modern animals, like a mouth, intestine, proboscis, and pharynx, their structural arrangements differ considerably from those of contemporary animals,” Lee remarked. “In essence, their overall morphology is unusual, yet they possess fundamental biological modules common to modern fauna.”
Joe Moishuk from the Manitoba Museum states that the sudden appearance of numerous animal body plans in the early Cambrian fossil record has posed a longstanding dilemma for paleontologists.
“Strong evidence suggests that their ancestral forms should have been identified earlier, in the Ediacaran, while indications of this lineage have been accumulating over recent decades,” Moisiuk notes.
“Although the specimens are somewhat poorly preserved and missing certain details, several distinctly animal-like forms emerge.”
These fossils imply the existence of certain animal groups prior to the Cambrian; however, they do not contradict the occurrence of a Cambrian explosion, he asserts.
“Instead, the divergence of animal body plans likely unfolded over approximately 30 million years across the Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary, providing a clearer temporal constraint on the genesis of this evolutionary radiation.”
Han Zeng, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences not involved in the study, underscored that finding complex animal fossils in pre-Cambrian sediments would signify a major advancement in paleontology.
“Over recent decades, a diverse array of carbonaceous fossils has emerged from similarly dated Late Precambrian shales in southern China. While most have been classified as algae or cyanobacteria, other specimens possess ambiguous animal characteristics,” Zeng elaborates. “Future research is crucial to clarify the biological relationships of these fossils. Should they prove to be animals, they could drastically alter our understanding of early animal evolution.”
Dinosaur Hunting in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert
Join an exciting expedition to uncover dinosaur remnants in the expansive wilderness of the Gobi Desert, renowned as one of the world’s premier paleontology hotspots.
CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) physicists, through the LHCb experiment, have unveiled a groundbreaking deuteron-like particle known as Ξcc⁺. This remarkable particle, composed of two charm quarks and one down quark, offers scientists a novel means to explore the formidable forces binding the fundamental constituents of matter.
Artist’s impression of the double charm baryon Ξcc⁺ containing two charm quarks and one down quark. Image credit: CERN.
Quarks, the fundamental building blocks of matter, exist in six distinct flavors: up, down, charm, strange, top, and bottom.
Typically, quarks combine in pairs or groups of three to form mesons and baryons. While protons are stable, most hadrons (mesons and baryons) are fleeting, vanishing almost immediately upon creation, making detection a challenge.
To facilitate their production, high-energy particles are collided within machines like the LHC.
These unstable hadrons decay rapidly, yet the resultant more stable particles can be detected, enabling scientists to infer the properties of the original particles.
With this discovery, the total count of hadrons identified in LHC experiments has risen to 80.
“This marks the first new particle identified following the LHCb detector upgrades completed in 2023, and it is the second baryon discovered that features two heavy quarks, echoing the initial observation made nearly a decade ago,” stated LHCb spokesperson Dr. Vincenzo Vagnoni.
“The implications of this result will aid theorists in testing quantum chromodynamics models, enhancing our understanding of strong forces that unify quarks to form conventional baryons and mesons, as well as more exotic structures like tetraquarks and pentaquarks.”
In 2017, the LHCb team reported a similar particle containing two charm quarks and an up quark, which differs from the newly discovered particle solely by having a down quark.
Despite their similarities, the predicted lifetimes for the new particles are up to six times shorter than their counterparts due to intricate quantum effects, complicating their observation.
By scrutinizing data from proton-proton collisions captured by the LHCb detector during the LHC’s third operation phase, physicists confirmed a new baryon with a statistical significance of 7 sigma, surpassing the 5 sigma threshold needed for a discovery claim.
“This significant milestone exemplifies how LHCb’s unique capabilities contribute to its success,” remarked CERN Director-General Mark Thomson.
“This highlights the direct link between experimental upgrades at CERN and the new discoveries, paving the way for the pioneering science anticipated from the High-Luminosity LHC.”
“These accomplishments were made possible due to the extraordinary performance of CERN’s accelerator complex and the unwavering commitment of the scientists involved in the LHCb experiment.”
Since British pop legend David Bowie posed the question in 1971, “Does life exist on Mars?”, NASA has successfully landed five rovers on the Red Planet. The Curiosity rover, which touched down in Gale Crater in 2012, uncovered rocks formed in a shallow lake approximately 3.6 billion years ago, indicating a once habitable environment. In 2021, the Perseverance rover began exploring Jezero Crater, where traces of ancient life may be found at the base of a lake dating back 3.7 billion years.
Both Curiosity and Perseverance have discovered evidence of complex carbon-containing molecules within Martian lakebed rocks. Organisms on Earth consist of similar organicmolecules, leading astrobiologists to speculate that these Martian compounds might indicate past life. However, it’s important to note that organic molecules can also arise from non-biological processes, such as interactions between gases and minerals at high temperatures. Thus, more conclusive evidence is needed to confirm the existence of ancient Martian life.
A recent study by researchers at the Center for Astrobiology in Madrid, Spain, explored whether DNA could function as a potential biomarker in Martian rocks. They posited that DNA is universal among Earth’s life forms and deemed it “the most crucial biological molecule for life.” Only life forms create this molecule. Furthermore, many conditions that degrade DNA quickly on Earth—such as the presence of water, heat, and microorganisms—are absent in the cold, dry climate of Mars.
One major obstacle in detecting ancient DNA on Mars is the planet’s surface, which is constantly bombarded by intense shock waves. Cosmic and solar radiation can rapidly degrade DNA and organic molecules. Prior research has indicated that DNA is more likely to survive radiation damage when protected within rock. Hence, the researchers aimed to examine whether Mars-like rocks could shield DNA from radiation levels equivalent to around 100 million years of exposure on the planet’s surface.
Scientists will not gain direct access to Martian lake rocks until future sample return missions, such as NASA/ESA’s Mars Sample Return or the Chinese Astronomy-3 mission, are conducted. The researchers collected samples from various rock ages formed in lakes and shallow marine environments worldwide. They specifically targeted rocks with remnants of an ancient microbial community known as microorganisms and a total organic carbon concentration similar to that of Martian rocks. The samples included 2,800-year-old lake rocks from Mexico, 541-million-year-old shallow-water rocks from Morocco, and 2.93-billion-year-old iron-rich rocks from Ontario, Canada, featuring minerals akin to those in Jezero Crater on Mars.
The team crushed the rocks, dividing them into six samples each, sealed in glass bottles. They exposed three samples to radiation levels equivalent to 136 million years on the Martian surface, while leaving the other three unexposed for comparison. DNA was extracted from each sample and examined using a technique that enables reliable identification of short DNA fragments known as nanopore sequencing. This method also generates quality scores for each DNA fragment to assess the accuracy of specific DNA sequences.
The analysis revealed that unirradiated samples contained higher quantities of DNA fragments, correlating with a greater presence of organic carbon. This suggests that the DNA originated from contemporary microbial communities residing in the rocks, while the organic carbon was derived from long-deceased microbes. Thus, the researchers inferred that modern microbes were consuming ancient organisms; the more food available, the larger the microbial populations grow. These findings support the proposition that rich organic carbon sites like ancient crater lakes are prime targets for future life-detection missions.
In irradiated samples, DNA quality diminished and fragmented due to radiation exposure. For instance, the DNA from irradiated samples of Mexican lake microorganisms exhibited quality scores that were, on average, 53% lower, with DNA reads averaging 85% shorter compared to unirradiated samples. Nevertheless, the research team managed to identify microorganisms that contributed around 2% to 9% of the DNA in the irradiated samples, despite significant degradation.
The researchers concluded that identifiable DNA fragments could persist in Martian rocks for over 100 million years. They proposed that this sensitive sequencing approach should be implemented in future Mars rovers to search for evidence of past life and evaluate the planet’s biological viability. While these results are promising for astrobiologists, challenges remain, such as the presence of toxic salts that could further degrade DNA and concerns regarding pollution from terrestrial life. The research team recommended developing stringent protocols for decontaminating Martian rock samples and addressing external contamination.
U.S. and German researchers have discovered a unique fungal protein capable of freezing water at relatively warmer subzero temperatures. This breakthrough opens up exciting possibilities for safer cloud seeding, enhanced climate models, and innovative advancements in food preservation and medicine.
Mortierellomycetes and Umbelopsidomycetes fungi from freshwater ecosystems in Korea. Image credit: Goh et al., doi: 10.4489/kjm.20230018.
In cloud seeding, particles known as ice nucleators are introduced into clouds to promote the transformation of cloud water into ice crystals.
As more water molecules adhere to these crystals, they grow in size.
This process creates a snowball effect, where ice crystals become heavier, descend to the ground, and melt into rain as they traverse the atmosphere.
Typically, conventional ice nucleators like silver iodide are used, which are highly toxic.
Professor Boris Binatzer and his team at Virginia Tech suggest that these fungal protein molecules could present a safer alternative.
“If we can efficiently produce these fungal proteins in large quantities, we could enhance cloud seeding safety,” Professor Binatzer stated.
The researchers also uncovered that the fungal genes responsible for ice nucleation proteins likely originated from bacterial species through horizontal gene transfer, a process that occurred hundreds of thousands of years ago.
“While we know fungi can acquire bacterial genes, this isn’t commonplace,” explains Professor Binatzer.
Since the early 1990s, researchers have been aware of fungi’s ability to form ice nuclei. Recent advancements in DNA sequencing and computational biology have enabled the sequencing of genomes from a specific fungal family, Mortierellaceae, revealing the genes coding for ice nucleation proteins.
The function of the acquired genes for fungi is still unclear, but it is evident they have enhanced their capabilities over time.
This genetic modification offers significant human benefits.
The ice-nucleating proteins produced by fungi are distinct from those produced by bacteria in that they are cell-free and water-soluble.
These characteristics make fungal molecules highly attractive for bioinspired refrigeration technologies and artificial weather manipulation.
For instance, in frozen food production, fungal molecules present a safer option compared to bacterial ones since fungi only secrete ice-nucleating proteins, eliminating the need for entire bacterial cells.
“This is a major advantage in food production, allowing use of a single well-defined protein while omitting unnecessary components,” Professor Vinatzer added.
“We have the potential to create safe and effective additives for frozen food preparation.”
Additionally, fungal ice nucleation may prove beneficial in the cryopreservation of cells such as tissues, sperm, eggs, and embryos.
“Utilizing fungal ice nucleators—relatively small molecules—enables faster freezing of water around cells, safeguarding delicate cellular structures,” stated Professor Binatzer.
“This approach is not feasible with bacteria since the entire bacterial cell must be added.”
Ice nucleation plays a crucial role in climate models, impacting predictions of how much radiation is reflected back into space by clouds versus what reaches Earth. Ice presence in clouds allows more radiation to reach our planet.
With the identification of these fungal molecules, determining their quantity in clouds becomes more manageable.
In the long term, this pioneering research could significantly enhance climate modeling accuracy.
For further details, refer to the study findings published in the journal Scientific Progress.
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Rosemary J. Eufemio et al. 2026. A previously unrecognized class of fungal ice nucleoproteins with bacterial ancestry. Scientific Progress 12(11); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aed9652
Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/B. Bolin
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS showcases unprecedented levels of water and carbon compounds, hinting that it originated around a star vastly different from our Sun—likely billions of years older.
Astronomers have meticulously monitored 3I/ATLAS since its entry into our solar system last year, revealing an astonishing composition rich in carbon dioxide and water. Initial analyses estimate its age at about 8 billion years—almost double that of our Sun.
According to Martin Cordiner and his research team at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the comet’s deuterium levels (a hydrogen isotope with additional neutrons) are at least ten times higher than any previously recorded comet.
Typically, deuterium exists in minor concentrations in Earth’s oceans, but 3I/ATLAS displays levels more than 40 times greater. “3I/ATLAS continues to amaze us with its revelations about the similarities and differences between its host system and our own,” Cordiner stated. His team utilized the James Webb Space Telescope for these groundbreaking observations.
“It’s truly extraordinary,” commented Paul Hartog from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany. “The ratio of deuterium to hydrogen in its water composition is highly unusual and unexpected.”
Such elevated deuterium levels are generally found in the coldest regions of the Milky Way, suggests Ewain van Dishus of the Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands. “This indicates it likely resides in the outermost disk of the star it orbits, facilitating its ejection,” Dishus explained.
Cordiner and colleagues also identified relatively low levels of carbon-13, an isotope usually created during supernova explosions. The low carbon-13 concentrations found in 3I/ATLAS point to its formation during a time when supernovae contaminants were rare, implying the comet formed around a star system aged between 10 to 12 billion years—again, more than twice the age of our solar system, according to Cordiner.
However, Dishus cautions that the imprecise carbon data means we cannot conclusively determine its exact age.
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In-depth observations of WOH G64, previously regarded as the most extreme red supergiant star in our galaxy, have uncovered significant changes, suggesting it may have shed parts of its outer layers while transitioning into a hotter, rarer stellar phase.
Artist’s reconstruction of the red supergiant star WOH G64. Image credit: ESO/L. Calçada.
Red supergiant stars, exceeding eight times the mass of the Sun, boast relatively short lifespans of merely 1 to 10 million years before culminating in a spectacular supernova explosion.
Despite their brightness, the evolutionary trajectories and ultimate fates of the universe’s most luminous red supergiants remain unclear.
Discovered in the 1980s, WOH G64 has been recognized as one of the brightest, largest, and coolest red supergiants within the Large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy located approximately 160,000 light-years from Earth.
To explore the evolution of WOH G64, Dr. Gonzalo Muñoz Sánchez from the National Astronomical Observatory of Athens and his team analyzed over 30 years of brightness data, commencing in 1992, using both recent and archived electromagnetic spectra.
The research indicated that the star experienced rapid fluctuations: it dimmed in 2011, then rebounded, transforming into a yellower hue and increasing in temperature by over 1,000 degrees Celsius between 2013 and 2014.
In 2025, WOH G64 experienced a significant dimming, accompanied by alterations in its atmospheric chemistry.
This image, captured by ESO’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer’s GRAVITY instrument, showcases the red supergiant star WOH G64. Image credit: ESO/Ohnaka et al., doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202451820.
Astronomers have proposed two possible explanations for these developments.
“First, WOH G64 could be part of a binary system where a red supergiant star transformed into a yellow supergiant due to interactions that expelled part of its atmosphere,” the researchers noted.
“Alternatively, the yellow supergiant may have experienced an eruption of red material lasting several decades, culminating in 2014.”
“This discovery raises intriguing questions about the nature of extreme red supergiants like WOH G64 and whether they are predominantly interacting binaries, which might prevent single stars from reaching such extreme conditions,” the researchers concluded.
The future interactions of WOH G64 will ultimately determine whether it explodes as a supernova, collapses into a black hole, or merges with a companion star.
For further details, refer to the study published in the journal Nature Astronomy.
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G. Munoz-Sanchez et al. A dramatic transformation from the very red supergiant WOH G64 to a yellow supergiant. Nat Astron, published online on February 23, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41550-026-02789-7
Paleontologists examining fossils in Ethiopia have discovered a new species of crocodile, named Crocodylus lucivenator, that coexisted with the renowned hominid Australopithecus afarensis. This formidable predator likely thrived in the wetlands and forest watering holes during the Pliocene epoch, posing a significant threat to early hominins.
Crocodylus lucivenator cohabited with Lucy and her early ancestors, potentially preying on them. Image credit: Tyler Stone, University of Iowa.
Crocodylus lucivenator thrived between 3.4 and 3 million years ago, overlapping in time and place with the famous hominin Australopithecus afarensis.
This species measured approximately 3.7 to 4.6 meters (12 to 15 feet) in length and weighed between 270 and 590 kilograms (600 to 1,300 pounds).
As an ambush predator, it would remain camouflaged underwater, ready to strike at unsuspecting drinkers.
“It was the dominant predator in that ecosystem, surpassing lions and hyenas, representing the biggest threat to our ancestors,” stated Professor Christopher Brochu from the University of Iowa.
“It is highly likely that Crocodylus lucivenator preyed on Lucy’s kind.”
“The combination of anatomical features in Crocodylus lucivenator was quite extraordinary and surprising,” he added.
The species was identified from 121 specimens, primarily skulls, teeth, and jaw fragments, obtained from the Hadar Formation in Ethiopia’s Afar region.
One notable fossilized jaw exhibits signs of damage indicating potential combat with another crocodile.
“This specimen displayed several partially healed injuries, suggesting it likely engaged in a fight with another crocodile,” explained Dr. Stephanie Drumheller, a paleontologist at the University of Tennessee.
“Such face-biting behavior is a common trait in crocodilian species, with similar scars appearing in the fossil record of extinct groups.”
While it’s unclear which combatant emerged victorious, the healing suggests survival post-battle, regardless of the outcome.
Crocodylus lucivenator exhibits a unique blend of anatomical traits found across several extinct African crocodile species.
This crocodile shares features with two known Pleistocene species while also retaining more primitive characteristics.
Additionally, researchers found a distinctive ridge along the snout resembling traits in modern Neotropical crocodiles and late Miocene species from Libya and Kenya.
Similar fossilized features at the Pliocene Kanapoi site in Kenya had been previously misclassified under a different species.
New investigations reveal that these fossils closely relate to Crocodylus lucivenator and several other extinct East African crocodiles.
Phylogenetic analysis indicates that this ancient crocodilian population represents a distinct lineage.
Fossil evidence confirms that Crocodylus lucivenator was the sole crocodile inhabiting the Pliocene Hadar Formation.
In contrast, contemporary deposits in the Turkana Basin suggest four different crocodile species coexisted at that time, although the reason for this disparity remains unknown.
“During the Pliocene, Hadar featured diverse habitats, such as woodlands, wet grasslands, and river systems,” remarked Dr. Christopher Campisano, a paleontologist at Arizona State University.
“Remarkably, this crocodile was one of the few species successful in adapting.”
Christopher A. Brochu et al. Lucy’s Danger: A Pliocene crocodile from the Hadar Formation of northeastern Ethiopia. Journal of Systematic Paleontology published online on March 11, 2026. doi: 10.1080/14772019.2026.2614954
A groundbreaking discovery of a 90-million-year-old fossil in Argentina is reshaping our understanding of the evolutionary history of a unique group of bird-like dinosaurs. This find helps settle a longstanding debate regarding their distribution across the ancient world.
The fossils detailed in Nature belong to Arunachetri seropolisiensis, a member of the Alvarezaurus family. This small dinosaur is characterized by its tiny teeth and stout arms, which end in a prominent single thumb claw.
While most well-preserved Alvarezsaurus fossils have been discovered in Asia, the existence of Alvarezsaurus in South America raises intriguing questions due to the vast ocean separating these continents.
A nearly complete skeleton uncovered at the La Buitrera fossil site in northern Patagonia has provided remarkable evidence regarding this species. This region was also home to primitive snakes and small saber-toothed mammals.
“Creating a nearly complete, articulated animal from a fragmented skeleton is akin to discovering the Rosetta Stone of paleontology,” stated Peter Makowiecki, a professor at the University of Minnesota, and the study’s first author.
Unlike their later relatives, Arunashetri had longer arms and larger teeth. This indicates that Alvarezsaurids likely reduced their body size before evolving the characteristic small limbs and teeth suited for an ant and termite diet.
“Our study suggests that alvarezsaurids form a compact group of dinosaurs, with species sizes ranging from crows to humans,” Makowiecki told BBC Science Focus. “Body size appears to fluctuate within this limited range without a clear trend.”
Peter Makowiecki discovers fossilized bones in Patagonia’s La Buitrera Fossil Field – Photo credit: Minyoung Son, University of Minnesota
This discovery also addresses an intercontinental mystery. A detailed anatomical study of Arunashetri led Makowiecki and his team to examine fossil collections globally. “We found other Alvarezaurids hiding in plain sight,” he noted.
“These species, which existed during the Jurassic period in North America and the Early Cretaceous in Europe, enhance our understanding of Alvarezsaurus’s widespread presence prior to the major rift between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.”
Approximately 200 million years ago, all of Earth’s continents formed a single supercontinent named Pangea. This landmass gradually fragmented over tens of millions of years, evolving into its current configuration while transporting its fauna along with it.
The research team is preparing additional specimens from the same site, though Professor Makowiecki has remained tight-lipped about their specifics. “The new specimen confirms some of our findings regarding size and specialization,” he disclosed. “Currently, we have no further plans.”
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In the realm of quantum mechanics, the principle of no duplication for quantum information is considered an unbreakable rule. However, a novel technique for backing up qubits—the fundamental units of quantum computers—may potentially challenge this foundational aspect of physics.
Initially identified in the 1980s, the no-cloning theorem asserts that a quantum state, which encapsulates all information about a quantum system, cannot be duplicated. Attempts to copy this information typically compromise the fragility of the quantum properties being assessed. This principle is crucial for advancements in quantum technologies, including cryptography, enabling secure communication protocols that effectively prevent information duplication and interception.
Researchers from the University of Waterloo in Canada have introduced an unexpected breakthrough: the ability to clone a quantum system, provided the information is encrypted and accompanied by a unique one-time decryption key.
Achim Kemp states, “This method allows for the creation of numerous copies to enhance redundancy, yet all copies must remain encrypted, and each decryption key may only be utilized once.” This compliance with the no-cloning theorem assures that only a singular, unambiguous, readable copy of a qubit exists at any point.
Through an exploration of how quantum Wi-Fi and radio stations could function, Kemp and his team stumbled upon this astonishing revelation. Traditional no-cloning principles would inhibit multiple receivers from accessing identical quantum information.
While delving into the impact of random fluctuations and noise on information copying, the team discerned that these disturbances might inadvertently undermine the no-cloning theorem, prompting the question, “Why does quantum noise seem to confuse the no-cloning theorem?”
Upon thorough investigation, they concluded that noise could inadvertently serve as an encryption mechanism, disrupting the original signal, yet remaining reversible. When utilized intentionally, this phenomenon can act as a tool for secure information dissemination.
After validating this concept theoretically, the team successfully implemented the protocol on an actual IBM Heron 156-qubit quantum computing processor.
This innovative approach exhibits a level of resilience against the errors and noise characteristic of contemporary quantum computers, enabling the production of hundreds of encrypted clones of a single qubit. “In fact, we maximized our capacity on the IBM processor. Despite housing only 156 qubits, we estimated we could produce over 1,000 clones before triggering error messages,” Kemp explains.
This advancement to the no-cloning theorem holds promise for the future of quantum cloud storage and computing services. “Similar to how Dropbox ensures a file’s safety by storing it across three distinct geographical servers, this method offers a viable solution for duplicating quantum data,” Kemp adds.
Alex Kissinger from the University of Oxford remarks, “It’s a fascinating quantum cryptographic protocol with ample potential in quantum communications, where redundancy in transmitted information can be invaluable.” However, he emphasizes that this technique should not be misconstrued as cloning. “It signifies a method of dissemination rather than replication,” Kissinger clarifies. “It’s about distributing information so that one recipient can later retrieve it.”
Kemp concurs, asserting, “This isn’t cloning; it’s encrypted cloning—merely a refinement of the no-duplication theorem.”
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
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
The fascinating debate surrounding the dinosaur Spinosaurus continues: was it an exceptional swimmer capable of diving to catch prey or a “hell’s heron” that snatched giant fish from shallow waters? Recent fossils of a new species, Spinosaurus mirabilis, discovered approximately 1,000 kilometers inland, may provide clarity, asserting that it resembled a sandpiper, as suggested by Paul Sereno from the University of Chicago.
The discussion of Spinosaurus lifestyles among paleontologists is ongoing, characterized by distinctive features such as large sails, massive claws, wide feet, and crocodilian jaws. Previous depictions in the 2025 BBC series Walking with Dinosaurs presented them as aquatic hunters.
In 2019, local guides led Sereno’s team to a remote Niger desert, where they unearthed a fragment of jaw bone identified later as belonging to a type of spinosaur. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed their return to the site.
During their second expedition, researchers discovered about ten Spinosaurus bones. Remarkably, they observed large crests atop the skulls and unique sails along their spines shortly after their initial find.
Sereno stated, “This was a shining moment because we recognized it as a new species of Spinosaurus that would significantly enhance our understanding of these dinosaurs.”
Named Spinosaurus mirabilis, this species is estimated to have roamed the Earth around 95 million years ago, growing to lengths of about 10 to 14 meters, comparable to the renowned Spinosaurus aegyptius. Sereno warned, “You wouldn’t want to be close to this animal; it could take you down in about three seconds.”
Similar to Spinosaurus aegyptius, this new species possessed a noticeable crest, though its crest was significantly larger—potentially reaching at least 40 centimeters in height for larger individuals. Researchers believe that, comparable to modern crowned birds such as the guinea fowl, these crowns were likely covered with a keratin sheath, standing at least 50 centimeters high.
The delicate crest probably served not as a weapon but as a visual display. “It likely boasted bright colors,” Sereno remarked. “It signals, ‘I’m here, I’m healthy.’
The significant sails of the Spinosaurus might also have been utilized for visual signaling. Sereno suggests it raised questions about their purpose in mating and territorial protection. “Such environments, like beaches and riverbanks, enhance visibility, allowing animals to spot rivals and mates over long distances,” he explained.
Crested Skull of S. mirabilis
Credit: Keith Ladzinski
Modern sandpipers, like the great blue heron, exhibit similar display characteristics, reinforcing the migration theory posited by Sereno. When comparing various animals based on the proportions of their jaws, necks, and hindlimbs, spinosaurids were found adjacent to heron-like species.
Although Spinosaurus struggled to swim efficiently due to its large sails, it could dive to depths of about 10 feet (3 meters) as an adult, according to Sereno.
Evidently, most spinosaur fossils have been discovered near oceans, while S. mirabilis thrived far inland. Sereno notes, “No marine predator weighing over a ton has entered freshwater habitats.” The absence of major freshwater predators, like river killer whales, supports the idea that these creatures were adaptations, similar to modern herons.
Sereno mentions, “This study validates the consensus developed regarding these animals. They aren’t super swimmers or deep divers; rather, they resemble herons and storks, foraging through shallow waters for their primary diet of fish.”
David Horn from Queen Mary University of London remarked, “The unique crest suggests a new species, and variations in jaws and teeth further solidify this point.”
Mark Witton at the University of Portsmouth, UK, emphasized that the lengths of the legs indicate Spinosaurus was capable of efficient movement, countering claims of a predominantly aquatic lifestyle.
Dinosaur Hunting in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert
Join an exciting expedition to uncover dinosaur fossils in the expansive Gobi Desert, a renowned hotspot for paleontological discoveries.
Your brain might contain a previously unknown network of blood vessels that assist in the elimination of metabolic waste. If further research substantiates this finding, it could transform our understanding of brain function and lead to novel treatments for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
“If this is confirmed, it’s a game-changer,” states Per Christian Eide from the University of Oslo, who was not part of the study. “This could signify a paradigm shift in our grasp of all neurodegenerative disorders, including stroke and traumatic brain injury, as well as our normal brain functions.”
The brain has its mechanisms for self-cleaning, utilizing the glymphatic system—a network of channels surrounding the brain’s blood vessels that integrates with the lymphatic system, which serves as the body’s drainage and filtration system.
Traditional imaging techniques have primarily focused on the protective outer layer of the brain without revealing lymphatic vessels. However, new research from Harvard University may have uncovered a concealed network of blood vessel-like structures akin to lymphatic vessels that connect to the glymphatic system. “This could be the most significant discovery of my three-decade career,” shares Lunn. “It’s a scientist’s ultimate dream.”
Researchers from Siju Gu‘s team at Harvard stumbled upon these structures while investigating beta-amyloid proteins in brain sections from mice exhibiting Alzheimer’s-like symptoms. Beta-amyloid is essential for neuronal function but can aggregate into toxic clumps associated with Alzheimer’s disease, often due to inadequate waste clearance.
Repeating their experiments in both mice with Alzheimer’s-like conditions and those without revealed consistent blood vessel-like structures across every brain region analyzed—highlighting areas like the hippocampus, crucial for memory formation, and the hypothalamus, which regulates sleep and body temperature.
These structures appear to envelope the brain’s blood vessels and meningeal lymphatic vessels, indicating they may play a role in waste removal via the glymphatic and lymphatic systems, according to Lunn.
Moreover, the research team identified similar tube-like formations in post-mortem samples from individuals who succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting these structures are also present in asymptomatic individuals, Lunn adds.
The team postulates that these formations could be either a new type of lymphatic vessel lined with beta-amyloid or a protein that evolves into solid fibers relevant to Alzheimer’s pathology. These structures have also been documented in healthy brains.
To investigate further, they utilized protein markers specific to lymphatic vessels on mouse brain slices, resulting in consistent staining of the tubular structures, although not as prominent as recognized lymphatic vessels. Consequently, they coined the term nanoscale lymphatic vessels (NLVs) for these formations and determined they are unlikely to be beta-amyloid.
However, NLV markers may also attach to non-lymphoid tissues, suggesting that the faint staining might imply these NLVs are not traditional lymphatic vessels, as noted by Eide. “This is a completely new type of structure that was previously unknown. The question remains: what exactly are these?”
One theory posits that these formations could be artifacts resulting from the imaging method employed. According to Christopher Brown from the University of Southampton, UK, uneven swelling of tissue samples may introduce cracks that mimic blood vessels.
This could potentially clarify why prior brain imaging research utilizing more dependable methods, like electron microscopy, has not previously identified NLVs, Brown suggests. The research team aims to employ these techniques in the near future; Gu supports this notion, indicating that past studies may have misidentified NLVs as axons, which are long projections from similar-looking neurons.
“We’re approximately 90% confident in our findings,” Lunn confirms, referencing other research conducted by his team demonstrating that fluorescently tagged beta-amyloid in mouse brains appears to infiltrate nearby NLVs, indicating that NLVs may aid in waste fluid transport.
If further validations by other research teams confirm these results, it could enhance comprehension of Alzheimer’s disease and other protein misfolding conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease. For instance, if dilation of blood vessels aids waste clearance, it might pave the way for developing therapeutic drugs for these neurological disorders, Brown concludes.
Artist Representation of Qubits in the Quantum Twins Simulator
Silicon Quantum Computing
A groundbreaking large-scale quantum simulator has the potential to unveil the mechanisms of exotic quantum materials and pave the way for their optimization in future applications.
Quantum computers are set to leverage unique quantum phenomena to perform calculations that are currently unmanageable for even the most advanced classical computers. Similarly, quantum simulators can aid researchers in accurately modeling materials and molecules that remain poorly understood.
This holds particularly true for superconductors, which conduct electricity with remarkable efficiency. The efficiency of superconductors arises from quantum effects, making it feasible to implement their properties directly in quantum simulators, unlike classical devices that necessitate extensive mathematical transformations.
Michelle Simmons and her team at Australia’s Silicon Quantum Computing have successfully developed the largest quantum simulator to date, known as Quantum Twin. “The scale and precision we’ve achieved with these simulators empower us to address intriguing challenges,” Simmons states. “We are pioneering new materials by crafting them atom by atom.”
The researchers designed multiple simulators by embedding phosphorus atoms into silicon chips. Each atom acts as a quantum bit (qubit), the fundamental component of quantum computers and simulators. The team meticulously configured the qubits into grids that replicate the atomic arrangement found in real materials. Each iteration of the Quantum Twin consisted of a square grid containing 15,000 qubits, surpassing any previous quantum simulator in scale. While similar configurations have been built using thousands of cryogenic atoms in the past, Quantum Twin breaks new ground.
By integrating electronic components into each chip via a precise patterning process, the researchers managed to control the electron properties within the chips. This emulates the electron behavior within simulated materials, crucial for understanding electrical flow. Researchers can manipulate the ease of adding an electron at specific grid points or the “hop” between two points.
Simmons noted that while conventional computers struggle with large two-dimensional simulations and complex electron property combinations, the Quantum Twin simulator shows significant potential for these scenarios. The team tested the chip by simulating the transition between conductive and insulating states—a critical mathematical model explaining how impurities in materials influence electrical conductivity. Additionally, they recorded the material’s “Hall coefficient” across different temperatures to assess its behavior in magnetic fields.
With its impressive size and variable control, the Quantum Twins simulator is poised to tackle unconventional superconductors. While conventional superconductors function well at low temperatures or under extreme pressure, some can operate under milder conditions. Achieving a deeper understanding of superconductors at ambient temperature and pressure is essential—knowledge that quantum simulators are expected to furnish in the future.
Moreover, Quantum Twins can also facilitate the investigation of interfaces between various metals and polyacetylene-like molecules, holding promise for advancements in drug development and artificial photosynthesis technologies, Simmons highlights.
Paleontologists from Australia and China have conducted two groundbreaking studies on the fossilized remains of a remarkable Devonian lungfish. Utilizing advanced imaging technology, they have unearthed previously overlooked anatomical details, significantly enhancing our understanding of early vertebrate evolution. Their findings have been published in the Canadian Journal of Zoology and the journal Current Biology.
Paleolophus yunnanensis, a unique lungfish species that thrived in southern China’s waters 410 million years ago. Image credit: Brian Choo, Flinders University.
In a recent study, lead researcher Alice Clement, a paleontologist at Flinders University, investigates The Mystery of Kainokara, a fossil known from a single specimen found in the Late Devonian Gogo Formation of Western Australia.
“New research, including the analysis of previously neglected specimens, is gradually uncovering the rich diversity of lungfishes found in Australia’s significant fossil sites,” said Dr. Clement.
“One particularly enigmatic specimen originates from Australia’s earliest ‘Great Barrier Reef’, a Devonian reef located in the Kimberley region of northern Western Australia.”
“When first described in 2010, this unusual specimen was so perplexing that the authors speculated it might represent an entirely new type of fish never documented in science.”
“Using advanced scanning techniques, we developed comprehensive digital images of both the external and internal structures of the skull, revealing the complexity of this fascinating lungfish’s brain cavity.”
“In fact, we confirmed that earlier interpretations may have been from an upside-down perspective.”
“We were also able to compare the well-preserved inner ear region with other lungfishes,” noted Flinders University paleontologist Hannah Thiele.
“This provides an essential data point in the rich collection of lungfish and early vertebrate species.”
“This research enhances our understanding of the evolutionary progression of these ancient lobe-finned fishes, both in Gondwana and globally.”
In a separate study, Flinders University paleontologist Brian Chu and colleagues reveal a newly discovered species of lungfish from the Devonian period in China, Paleolophus yunanensis.
“The discovery of Paleolophus yunanensis offers unprecedented insight into the transitional phase between the early appearance of lungfish and their extensive diversification millions of years later,” said Dr. Chu.
“At this time, this group was just beginning to develop unique feeding adaptations that would serve them well throughout the remainder of the Devonian period and into the present.”
“Lungfish, including the ancient lineage found in Queensland, Australia, have fascinated researchers due to their close evolutionary relationship with tetrapods, the four-limbed vertebrates that include humans.”
“The distinctive skull of the newly discovered lungfish from 410-million-year-old rock formations in Yunnan offers crucial insights into the rapid evolutionary changes during the Early, Middle, and Late Devonian periods.”
“The new specimens exhibited both similarities and differences compared to the earliest known specimens, such as Diabolepis fossils from southern China and uranolophus found in locations like Wyoming and Australia.
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Hannah S. Thiele et al., deciphering The Mystery of Kainokara from the Late Devonian Gogo Formation, Australia. Canadian Journal of Zoology, published online January 28, 2026. doi: 10.1139/cjz-2025-0109
Tuo Qiao et al., 2026. New fish fossil sheds light on the rapid evolution of early lungfish. Current Biology 36 (1): 243-251; doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.11.032
Astronomers have recently identified a new exoplanet, HD 137010b, orbiting the nearby K dwarf star HD 137010, following the detection of a single shallow transit in archived data from NASA’s Kepler Expansion K2 mission.
HD 137010b is estimated to be 6% larger than Earth, with surface temperatures akin to those of Mars, possibly dipping below -70 degrees Celsius. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Keith Miller, California Institute of Technology and IPAC.
HD 137010 is classified as a K3.5V dwarf star located approximately 146 light-years away in the constellation Libra.
This star’s age ranges between 4.8 billion and 10 billion years, and its low magnetic activity reflects its status as an old, relatively calm star.
Commonly referenced as BD-19 4097, HIC 75398, 2MASS J15242123-1944215, or TYC 6179-1111-1, HD 137010 has an apparent magnitude of 10.1 and is recognized as one of the brightest stars hosting an Earth-sized planet in temperate orbits.
The new exoplanet, designated HD 137010b, was observed during K2 Campaign 15 when NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope monitored its parent star for about three months in 2017.
“Most Earth-sized planets discovered in the habitable zone orbit red dwarfs, which are smaller and dimmer than the Sun,” explains lead author Astronomer Alexander Venner from the University of Southern Queensland.
“Concerns arise regarding these planets losing their atmospheres due to intense radiation from their host stars, rendering them uninhabitable for known life forms.”
“However, HD 137010b’s star shares characteristics more closely aligned with the Sun, increasing the likelihood that a stable atmosphere could be retained, according to current theoretical models.”
In their study, Venner and colleagues analyzed K2 data, light curves from nearby stars, archival images, and radial velocity measurements to clarify the nature of the transit signal, which lasted roughly 10 hours.
These evaluations strongly suggest that the observed transit is astrophysical and not a result of background interference, eclipsing binaries, or solar-system debris.
Astronomers have determined that the planet’s radius is approximately 1.06 times that of Earth based on the transit depth.
Considering the transit’s duration and the star’s properties, the orbital period of HD 137010b is estimated to be around 355 days.
At its distance from the host star, HD 137010b is estimated to receive about 29% of the stellar flux that Earth obtains from the Sun, placing it near the outskirts of the star’s habitable zone.
“If HD 137010b has an atmosphere similar to that of Earth or Mars, it could experience temperatures colder than Antarctica,” noted Dr. Venner.
“However, if the atmosphere thickens, conditions could warm up sufficiently for liquid water to exist, creating a potentially viable environment for life.”
“Current astronomical instruments are unable to fully characterize this newly discovered planet, but it stands out as a primary candidate for future radial velocity tools aimed at detecting Earth-like analogs.”
“Upcoming space missions, like NASA’s Habitable World Observatory, could also provide images of HD 137010b.”
This discovery is detailed in the following article: paper published in Astrophysics Journal Letters.
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Alexander Venner and others. 2026. A cool Earth-sized planet candidate orbiting a K2 magnitude K-dwarf star. APJL 997, L38; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/adf06f
Artist’s Impression of the Huayuan Biota Ecosystem
Dinghua Yang
A remarkable fossil find has emerged in southern China, unveiling an ecosystem that dates back 512 million years, immediately postdating Earth’s first mass extinction event.
The fossils belong to the Cambrian period, initiated 541 million years ago, a time characterized by a significant increase in animal diversity which led to the emergence of most major animal groups.
This evolutionary flourishing faced a dramatic setback with the Shinsk event around 513.5 million years ago, when oceanic oxygen levels plummeted, resulting in the extinction of various animal groups.
Han Zeng and his team at China’s Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology began unearthing these fossils in 2021 at a quarry in Huayuan County, Hunan Province.
So far, researchers have documented 8,681 fossils from 153 distinct species, approximately 60 percent of which are previously unknown to science. This ancient ecosystem has been dubbed the “Flower Garden Biota,” potentially surpassing Canada’s renowned Burgess Shale in significance.
This ecosystem comprises 16 major animal groups believed to have thrived in deep-sea environments, largely unaffected by the Shinsk event.
“Our understanding of the Shinsk extinction event was limited to skeletal fossils of certain animals, such as archaeal sponge reefs, trilobites, and small shelled fossils,” Zeng explains.
The Flower Garden Biota also includes various mollusks. Zeng noted, “The extinction predominantly affected shallow-sea habitats, while the deep-sea environments, where the Huazono biota thrived, remained largely stable.”
Arthropods of the Hanazono Biota Family
Han Zeng
The majority of fossils unearthed belong to arthropods akin to modern-day insects, spiders, and crustaceans. Other fossil types include mollusks, brachiopods, and cnidarians, relatives of jellyfish.
One notable specimen is Guangshancharis Kunmingensis, an 80 cm long arthropod recognized as the largest animal discovered at the site, likely a predatory species within the Huayuan ecosystem.
Another arthropod, Hermetia, was previously known only from Canada’s Burgess Shale but is now found in the Flower Garden Biota, indicating that these early animals were capable of long-distance dispersal via ocean currents, according to Zeng.
Zeng emphasized that the exceptional preservation of the fossils is due to rapid burial under fine sediment, capturing intricate details of soft anatomy including limbs, antennae, tentacles, gills, and even nervous tissues.
Aronia: A Cambrian Sea Creature Similar to Sponges
Han Zeng
Joe Moishuk from Canada’s Manitoba Museum reflects that the site ranks among top Cambrian fossil locations, celebrated for its biodiversity and preservation quality.
While some groups like sponges and trilobites are known to have declined significantly during the mid-Cambrian Shinsk event, many animal groups’ fates remain unclear.
“Findings like the Hanazono biota offer invaluable insights into the biodiversity of this period, helping to illuminate gaps in our understanding of Earth’s history,” notes Moisiuk.
Tetsuto Miyashita of the Canadian Museum of Nature mentions that two key Cambrian fossil sites are the 520-million-year-old Chengjiang Biota in China and the 508-million-year-old Burgess Shale in Canada.
“Comparing these sites is akin to contrasting Bach’s ensemble with The Beatles; understanding the variances is crucial before grasping the overarching narrative of these ecosystems,” Miyashita states. “New biota discoveries assist paleontologists in unraveling the influence of geographical features, mass extinctions, and oceanic conditions.”
A conspicuous absence in the Flower Garden Biota is any evidence of fish. “Where are the fish?” queries Miyashita. “Are they scarce, which is globally uncommon, or are other ecological factors at play?”
Zeng mentions that not all fossils have been thoroughly scrutinized yet, suggesting the possibility of undiscovered species, including fish, as further exploration continues.
Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery, unearthing the “oldest known hand-held wooden tool” at a Middle Pleistocene site in Marathusa 1, Greece.
Impression of a Marathusa 1 female artist crafting a digging stick using small stone tools from an alder trunk. Image credit: G. Prieto / K. Harvati.
According to Professor Katerina Herberty from the University of Tübingen, “The Middle Pleistocene was crucial for human evolution, marking a period when complex behaviors emerged.”
“This era also showcases the earliest reliable evidence of the targeted use of plants for technological purposes.”
The 430,000-year-old wooden tools discovered at the Marathusa 1 site, led by Professor Harbati and his team, consist of worked alder trunks and small willow/poplar artifacts.
The primary tool is made from alder wood (Alnus sp.) and features engraving marks along with associated stop and chop marks, indicating intentional shaping.
This approximately 81 cm long artifact displays signs of usage consistent with a multifunctional rod likely employed for paleolakeshore excavation.
The second tool, a small piece of willow/poplar (Salix sp./Populus sp.), measures 5.7 cm and exhibits signs of rounding.
This object shows two signs of potential processing, suggesting that growth rings have been removed from one end.
Researchers hypothesize that this small wooden tool’s function remains uncertain but may have been utilized for modifying stone tools.
Alongside these wooden tools, scientists uncovered butchered remains of an elephant with straight tusks (Paleoloxodon Antique), as well as stone artifacts and processed bones.
Dr. Annemieke Milks, a researcher at the University of Reading, states, “Unlike stone artifacts, wooden objects need special conditions to survive over long durations.”
“We meticulously examined all tree remains, analyzing the surfaces under a microscope.”
“Our findings revealed clear evidence of cutting and carving on these two objects, strongly indicating that early humans intentionally shaped them.”
A multifunctional digging stick (top) and small wooden tools (bottom) from the Marathusa 1 site in Greece. Image credit: D. Michailidis / N. Thompson / K. Harvati.
Additionally, researchers found a large fragment of an alder trunk exhibiting deep carved stripes, interpreted as fossilized claw marks from a large carnivore. This suggests potential competition between early humans and carnivores at this site.
Evidence of cuts and damage on the elephant remains indicate that early hominins had access to the carcass, while gnawing marks reveal subsequent carnivorous activity.
Dr. Milks added, “Previous discoveries of ancient wooden tools have occurred in countries such as Britain, Zambia, Germany, and China, comprising weapons, digging sticks, and tool handles.” However, she noted that these finds date newer than the Marathusa 1 artifacts.
“The only evidence of ancient wood used by humans, dating to around 476,000 years ago, comes from the Kalambo Falls site in Zambia, where the wood served as structural material rather than tools.”
“We have now identified the oldest known wooden tools and the first of their kind from southeastern Europe,” emphasized Professor Herberty.
“This discovery highlights the exceptional conservation conditions at the Marathusa 1 site.”
“The concurrent evidence of human activity and large carnivores in the vicinity of the butchered elephant indicates a competitive dynamic between them.”
Details of these findings are published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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A. Chemilux et al. 2026. The earliest evidence of human use of wooden hand tools, discovered at Marathusa 1 (Greece). PNAS 123 (6): e2515479123; doi: 10.1073/pnas.25154791
Treponema pallidum Bacteria Linked to Syphilis and Related Diseases
Source: Science Photo Library / Alamy
New research reveals that traces of Treponema pallidum—the bacteria responsible for syphilis—have been identified in the bones of ancient inhabitants of Colombia, dating back over 5,000 years. This discovery suggests that syphilis was infecting humans far earlier than previously believed, prior to the advent of intensive agriculture, which many experts think may have facilitated its spread.
Currently, Treponema pallidum encompasses three subspecies that cause syphilis, bejel, and framboise. The origins and transmission pathways of these diseases remain topics of scientific debate. Although ancient DNA and infectious markers on bones offer insights, they are often limited and ambiguous.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers analyzed DNA from 5,500-year-old remains discovered in the Bogotá savannah. The unexpected finding of Treponema pallidum in a human leg bone provides critical evidence of its historical prevalence.
“This discovery was entirely unanticipated, as there was a lack of skeletal evidence indicating an infectious disease,” notes Nasreen Broumandkoshbacht from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Many scholars have long posited that the majority of diseases affected humans only after the rise of intensive agriculture, which led to denser populations. However, this individual lived in a contrasting setting—small, nomadic hunter-gatherer bands that maintained close contact with wild animals.
“These results shed light on the extensive evolutionary history of these organisms,” states Davide Bozzi from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. “They reveal longstanding relationships between the bacterium and human populations.”
As researchers, including Blumandhoschbacht and Bozzi, correlated ancient genomes with contemporary ones, they identified that the pallidum strain was part of a distinct lineage, separate from any known modern relatives. This indicates that early variants of syphilis were already diversifying and infecting humans in the Americas millennia ago, with many of the same genetic traits that make present-day strains particularly pathogenic.
The findings imply that these pathogens were not only early residents in the Americas but may have been affecting human populations globally for much longer than previously assumed.
Rodrigo Barquera, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, suggests that this ancient strain might link to an elusive “missing” pathogen, Treponema carathaeum, known primarily for its physical characteristics rather than its genetic makeup.
Kertu Majumdar, a researcher at the University of Zurich in Switzerland, posits, “The genomes of even older organisms might provide insights into a variety of extinct lineages and diseases caused by these pathogens.”
For Bozzi, unearthing the evolutionary adaptations of pathogens like syphilis is crucial for understanding their genetic attributes that enhance their virulence in new hosts.
Illustration of Haikouichthys, a notable Cambrian fish with fossilized evidence of a second pair of eyes
Xiangtong Lei, Sihang Zhang
Over 500 million years ago, the earliest known vertebrates exhibited an intriguing feature: an extra eye. Interestingly, humans may retain traces of this ancient evolutionary trait.
Significant fossils from two species of jawless fish, known as myllokunmingids, were discovered by Kong Peiyun. From 2019 to 2024, Kong worked alongside colleagues at Yunnan University in China, specifically around Dianchi Lake.
The fossils unearthed in the Chengjiang biota area, renowned for its exquisite preservation, date back to approximately 518 million years ago—a timeframe marked by a dramatic increase in life’s diversity during the Cambrian period.
Remarkably, the vertebrate fossils discovered by Kong’s team included well-preserved soft tissue and vital eye structures.
Complex eye structures evolved independently in various animal groups. Many invertebrates, like insects, possess compound eyes, which consist of numerous individual units, each with its own lens, enabling a mosaic vision.
Meanwhile, vertebrates such as humans and reptiles possess what scientists label as “camera eyes.” These comprise a spherical lens, retina, iris, and muscles that regulate eye movement. Additionally, they contain pigment structures called melanosomes that influence eye color.
Light focuses on the retina, generating a signal relayed to the brain via the optic nerve.
Under electron microscopy scrutiny, Kong and his team identified two eyes situated on the sides of the head, with melanin-rich melanosomes preserved, alongside two smaller enigmatic black marks between them.
Employing a lens impression to analyze the fossils, team members led by Jacob Vinther from the University of Bristol suggested that these ancient creatures possessed two pairs of camera-like eyes, allowing them to visualize their environment much like modern vertebrates. The decisive difference? They utilized four eyes instead of two.
Fossil of Haikouichthys displaying conserved melanosomes
Xiangtong Lei, Sihang Zhang
The research team posits that this ancient additional eye has evolved into various organs known as the pineal complex. Some vertebrates, such as reptiles, possess a light-sensitive organ called the parietal eye atop their heads, while all mammals retain a reduced version that is the pineal gland, a key player in regulating sleep cycles through melatonin secretion.
“Early vertebrates likely used the pineal organs as functional eyes, enabling them to perceive their surroundings before evolving into sleep-regulating organs,” states Vinther.
These large eyes may have been optimized for high-resolution vision, complemented by smaller eyes that enabled detection of nearby threats—critical for survival in the predator-rich Cambrian seas.
According to Vinther, these creatures could likely discern objects with detail, estimating their shape and gain a degree of depth perception—all thanks to their remarkable four-eyed adaptation.
Tetsuto Miyashita, from the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, finds the interpretation of these fossils both “half-believable and half-doubtful.”
The structure located between the two eyes had previously perplexed researchers, but realizing it may indicate another camera eye was considered a “lightbulb” moment, he explains.
If indeed this is the case, it raises the question: where is the animal’s nose? “Most early fish evolution centered around nose development, suggesting that it would be unusual for the nose to not be preserved,” he notes.
Miyashita anticipates significant discussions will persist until experts can engage in a thorough debate regarding this exciting finding. “What function do so many prominent eyes actually serve?” he questions.
John Patterson, a researcher from the University of New England in Armidale, Australia, asserts that it is logical for prey species to have developed such visual capabilities to escape formidable predators.
The Cambrian era was evolutionary peculiar, showcasing animals displaying unusual behavior and not strictly developing pairs of eyes on their heads, but placing eyes in other regions as well.
Karma Nangle, a professor at the University of California, Riverside, aims to create a comprehensive map of the entire fossil body to investigate the potential existence of similar traces. Such findings could demonstrate that the second set of eyes may simply be a result of chemical processes during fossilization.
Dinosaur Hunting in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert
Embark on an exhilarating expedition to discover dinosaur remains in the remote wilderness of the Gobi Desert, renowned as a leading paleontology hotspot.
In a groundbreaking study published in the latest issue of Current Biology, researchers from Vienna Veterinary University present the first experimental evidence that cows (Bos taurus) can utilize a single object as a versatile tool, adapting its use according to the task at hand. The study focused on a pet Swiss brown cow named Veronica, who learned to manipulate a deck brush to effectively scratch hard-to-reach areas of her body. Through a series of controlled trials, Veronica exhibited targeted adjustments based on the sensitivity of the body parts she aimed to scratch.
Veronica’s tool technique. Image credit: Antonio Osuna-Mascaró and Alice Auersperg, doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.11.059.
Veronica, a long-lived Swiss brown cow, is not raised for meat or milk. She is a beloved pet of Vitger Vigele, an organic farmer and baker who cherishes her as part of the family.
Over a decade ago, Vigele observed Veronica occasionally picking up sticks to scratch herself, sparking interest in her behavior.
According to Dr. Alice Auersperg, a cognitive biologist at Vienna University, “These findings suggest that our preconceptions about domestic animal intelligence may stem more from observational gaps than from actual cognitive limitations.”
In structured trials, Dr. Auersperg and colleague Dr. Antonio Osuna Mascaro placed deck brushes at random angles. They recorded which ends Veronica selected and the body parts she targeted.
After multiple assessments, the researchers discovered that Veronica’s choices were consistent and matched the needs of the targeted areas.
“We have demonstrated that cows can engage in genuinely flexible tool use,” stated Dr. Osuna Mascaro.
“Veronica doesn’t just use objects haphazardly.”
“She effectively employs different segments of the same tool for distinct purposes, altering her techniques based on the tool’s role and the specific body part involved.”
The study revealed that Veronica typically favors the bristles of a deck brush for scratching large, hard areas like her back. For more sensitive regions, she switches to the smooth stick end.
Moreover, her handling of the tools varies; her upper body scratching movements are broad and vigorous, while her lower body motions are slower, more deliberate, and precisely controlled.
Tool use is defined as manipulating external objects to achieve a goal through mechanical means. The study found that Veronica’s behavior fulfills this definition while demonstrating flexible and versatile tool use, utilizing different features of the same object for various functional outcomes.
Such agility in tool use is exceedingly rare, with evidence only convincingly documented in chimpanzees to date.
“Using tools on her own body represents a self-directed form of tool use, which is typically considered less complex than applying tools to external objects,” remarked Dr. Osuna Mascaro.
“Veronica faces inherent physical limitations as she depends on her mouth to manipulate tools.”
“What’s remarkable is her ability to overcome these limitations, demonstrating foresight by adjusting her grip strength and movements accordingly.”
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Antonio J. Osuna-Mascalo & Alice MI Auersperg. 2026. Flexible use of multipurpose tools by cows. Current Biology 36 (2): R44-R45; doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.11.059
Astronomers utilizing the WHT Extended Area Velocity Explorer (WEAVE), a cutting-edge instrument aboard the William Herschel Telescope on La Palma Island, have uncovered an intriguing elongated structure of ionized iron within the renowned Ring Nebula.
A composite image of the Ring Nebula featuring four WEAVE/LIFU emission line images. Image credit: Wesson et al., doi: 10.1093/mnras/staf2139.
The Ring Nebula, also known as Messier 57, M57, or NGC 6720, is a classic planetary nebula located approximately 2,000 light-years away in the constellation Lyra.
This nebula was first discovered by the French astronomer Charles Messier in January 1779 while he was on a mission to find comets.
Messier’s report about the discovery of Comet Bode reached fellow astronomer Antoine d’Alquier de Perpois shortly afterward, who subsequently rediscovered the Ring Nebula during his comet observations.
The newly identified rod-shaped cloud of iron atoms resides within the inner layer of this elliptical nebula.
Measuring about 500 times the length of Pluto’s orbit around the sun, this cloud’s atomic mass of iron is comparable to that of Mars.
This iron cloud was detected using the Large Integral Field Unit (LIFU) mode of the innovative WEAVE instrument on the 4.2-meter William Herschel Telescope, part of the Isaac Newton Group.
According to Dr. Roger Wesson, an astronomer from University College London and Cardiff University: “While the Ring Nebula has been extensively studied with various telescopes, WEAVE enables us to observe it in unprecedented detail, providing much richer information than previously available.”
“By continuously collecting spectra across the nebula, we can image it at any wavelength and analyze its chemical composition at any given location.”
“As we process the data and examine the images, we discover a never-before-seen ‘rod’ of ionized iron atoms at the heart of this iconic ring.”
The exact nature of the iron “rods” within the Ring Nebula remains uncertain.
Two potential scenarios emerge: the bar may offer new insights into the nebula’s formation and ejection by its parent star, or (more intriguingly) it could represent an arc of plasma from a rocky planet evaporating during the star’s initial expansion.
Professor Janet Drew, also from University College London, noted: “We need to investigate further, particularly to determine if the newly detected iron coexists with other elements. This could guide us toward the appropriate models to explore.”
“Currently, this crucial information is lacking.”
For more in-depth details, check out the findings published today in the Royal Astronomical Society Monthly Notices.
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R. Wesson et al. 2026. WEAVE Imaging Spectroscopy of NGC 6720: Iron Rods in the Ring. MNRAS 546 (1): staf2139; doi: 10.1093/mnras/staf2139
Image of SN Eos supernova taken by the James Webb Space Telescope
Astronomers have identified a colossal star’s explosion shortly after the universe emerged from the Cosmic Dark Ages, offering insights into the birth and demise of the first stars.
When a star exhausts its fuel, it explodes in a spectacular event known as a supernova. While nearby supernovae are exceedingly bright, the light from ancient explosions takes billions of years to reach Earth, fading into invisibility by the time it arrives.
This is why astronomers typically detect distant supernovae only during exceptional circumstances, such as Type Ic supernovae, which are the remnants of stars stripped of their outer gas and producing intense gamma-ray bursts. However, the more common Type II supernova, the predominant explosion observed in our galaxy, occurs when a massive star depletes its fuel but remains too faint for casual observation.
Notably, David Coulter, a professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and his team utilized the James Webb Space Telescope to discover a Type II supernova named SN Eos, dating back to when the universe was only 1 billion years old.
Fortunately, the supernova’s explosion took place behind a vast galaxy cluster, whose potent gravity amplified the light, rendering SN Eos dozens of times brighter than it would typically appear, facilitating detailed studies.
Researchers meticulously analyzed the light spectrum from SN Eos, confirming it as the oldest supernova detected via spectroscopy. Their findings denote it as a Type II supernova, attesting to its origins from a massive star.
Additionally, evidence suggests that the progenitor star contained remarkably low quantities of elements beyond hydrogen and helium—less than 10% of the elemental abundance present in the Sun. This aligns with theories about the early universe, where multiple stellar generations hadn’t existed long enough to create heavier elements.
“This allows us to quickly identify the type of stellar population in that region. [This star] exploded,” stated Or Graul from the University of Portsmouth, UK. “Massive stars tend to explode shortly after their formation. In cosmological terms, a million years is a brief interval, making them indicators of ongoing star formation within their respective galaxies.”
Light from such vast distances is typically emitted by small galaxies, allowing astronomers to infer the average characteristics of the stars within these galaxies. However, studying individual stars at these distances tends to be unfeasible. As noted by Matt Nicholl of Queen’s University, Belfast, UK, “This discovery provides us with exquisite data on an individual star. [Distance] has kept us from observing an isolated supernova here, but the data confirms this star’s uniqueness compared to others in the local universe.”
This observation occurred just a few hundred million years following the Era of Reionization, a pivotal period in the universe’s history. During this time, light from the inaugural stars began ionizing neutral hydrogen gas, transitioning it into translucent ionized hydrogen. This relates to SN Eos, as it serves as a supernova from a time we would expect to see.
“This discovery closely coincides with the reionization era when the universe emerged from darkness, permitting photons to travel freely once more and allowing us to observe,” said Graul.
Exploring ‘Small Red Dots’ Unveiled by the James Webb Space Telescope
Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, and D. Kocevski (Colby U.)/Space Telescope Science Institute Public Extension Office
The remarkable bright galaxies uncovered by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) may not be as brilliant as initially thought. These celestial bodies once posed a challenge to our cosmic understanding, implying they were home to supermassive black holes and an unexpected abundance of stars. However, new insights suggest these galaxies may harbor “baby” black holes.
During its initial years surveying the early Universe, JWST serendipitously discovered numerous bright and red galaxies, referred to as “little red dots” (LRDs).
The light emitted by these galaxies indicates the presence of far more mass than previously recognized in any other galaxy. They exhibit star densities that challenge existing models or host black holes larger than expected considering the size of their parent galaxies.
Both scenarios would necessitate a substantial overhaul of our galaxy formation and black hole growth theories in the early Universe.
Initial assumptions posited that the red hue of LRDs was due to copious dust surrounding the black holes or stars. This notion has come under scrutiny, as researchers find little evidence of dust in these extraordinary galaxies.
Jenny Green, a researcher at Princeton University, posits that this discovery warrants a reevaluation of LRD characteristics. “We were confident that if red coloration was due to dust, we’d detect dust emissions. However, we found none,” Green stated. “This suggests our initial assumption about their dust content was flawed.”
Previous analyses gauged the total brightness of the LRDs by assessing specific wavelengths of light linked to hydrogen, calibrated against a model of how dust impacts this light.
In their recent study, Green and her team measured the total light output from two LRD galaxies across various light frequencies, including X-rays and infrared. They discovered that, except for visible light, these galaxies emitted significantly less light than the typical galaxy—implying that LRDs are at least ten times dimmer than earlier estimates. This revelation holds critical implications for the nature of black holes within LRDs.
“If the emitted light is substantially less than we’ve believed, the mass of the black holes is likely much more modest,” Green remarked. “This reduces the tensions that have perplexed us since the black holes no longer need to be exceedingly massive or possess substantial mass initially.”
The new emission patterns imply the black holes may harbor less mass compared to standard black holes. Rohan Naidu from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology describes them as “baby black holes.” He further noted these findings align with the emerging perspective that LRD black holes could be categorized as black hole stars—a unique type of black hole encased in gas.
“In a typical black hole, what we observe is merely a fraction of the total energy emitted by the system. However, we should reconsider the little red dots as bulging black hole stars,” Naidu explained. “Most of their energy appears to be emitted at wavelengths we can detect, suggesting that what we see accurately reflects their output.”
Conversely, Roberto Maiorino from the University of Cambridge emphasizes that one cannot definitively ascertain the black hole’s mass within an LRD, as the emitted light reveals its growth rate rather than its total mass.
Green asserts that the notion of baby black holes holds merit. “If the photon count is significantly lower,” she noted, “this indicates a downward shift in the entire mass scale. On average, they possess lesser masses than previously assumed when we incorrectly categorized them as regular accreting black holes enshrouded in dust.”
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Artist’s impression of asteroid 2025 MN45. Image credit: NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory / NOIRLab / SLAC / AURA / P. Marenfeld.
Asteroids orbiting the sun rotate at varying speeds, providing critical insights into their formation conditions billions of years ago, as well as their internal structure and evolutionary history.
Fast-spinning asteroids may have been propelled by prior collisions with other space rocks, suggesting they could be remnants of larger parent bodies.
To withstand such rapid spinning, these asteroids must possess enough internal strength to prevent fragmentation, a process where an object breaks apart due to its rotation speed.
Most asteroids consist of aggregates of debris, with their construction limiting how swiftly they can spin without disintegrating based on their density.
In the main asteroid belt, the threshold for stable fast rotation is approximately 2.2 hours. Asteroids exceeding this rotation period must be exceptionally strong to remain intact.
The faster an asteroid spins and the larger it is, the more durable its material must be.
A recent study published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters reveals important insights into asteroid composition and evolution, showcasing how the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory is redefining our understanding of solar system discoveries.
This research presents data on 76 asteroids with verified rotation rates.
It includes 16 ultra-fast rotators with periods ranging from approximately 13 minutes to 2.2 hours, along with three extreme rotators completing a full rotation in under 5 minutes.
All 19 newly identified high-rotation objects exceed the length of an American football field (around 90 meters).
Notably, the fastest-spinning known main-belt asteroid, 2025 MN45, has a diameter of 710 meters and completes a rotation every 1.88 minutes.
This combination establishes it as the fastest rotating asteroid discovered, surpassing 500 meters in diameter.
“Clearly, this asteroid must be composed of exceptionally strong material to maintain its structure at such high rotation speeds,” commented Dr. Sarah Greenstreet, an astronomer at NSF’s NOIRLab and the University of Washington.
“Our calculations suggest it requires cohesive forces comparable to solid rock.”
“This is intriguing because most asteroids are believed to be ‘rubble heap’ structures, composed of numerous small rocks and debris that coalesced through gravitational forces during solar system formation and collisions.”
“Discoveries like this incredibly fast-rotating asteroid result from the observatory’s unmatched ability to deliver high-resolution time-domain astronomical data, thus expanding the limits of what we can observe,” stated Regina Lameika, DOE associate director for high-energy physics.
In addition to 2025 MN45, other significant asteroids researched by the team include 2025 MJ71 (rotation period of 1.9 minutes), 2025 MK41 (rotation period of 3.8 minutes), 2025 MV71 (rotation period of 13 minutes), and 2025 MG56 (rotation period of 16 minutes).
All five of these ultra-fast rotators are several hundred meters in diameter, categorizing them as the fastest-rotating subkilometer asteroids known to date, including several near-Earth objects.
“As this study illustrates, even during its initial commissioning stages, Rubin allows us to investigate populations of relatively small, very fast-rotating main-belt asteroids that were previously unattainable,” Dr. Greenstreet concluded.
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Sarah Greenstreet et al. 2026. Light curve, rotation period, and color of the first asteroid discovered by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. APJL 996, L33; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae2a30
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