Science

The pursuit of understanding dark matter, which comprises 85 percent of the universe’s mass, could take a significant leap forward with a nearby supernova. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, led by Associate Professor of Physics Benjamin Safdi, have theorised that the elusive particle known as the axion might be detected within moments of

A new study highlights the critical role of the Irminger Sea, located off southeastern Greenland, in maintaining the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). The AMOC, a global ocean conveyor belt, is crucial for regulating Earth’s climate, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere. According to research led by Dr Qiyun Ma, a postdoctoral researcher

Efforts to create a comprehensive map of all human cells have taken a significant leap forward. Researchers associated with the Human Cell Atlas (HCA), a global scientific consortium, have released over 40 studies detailing critical progress in mapping the 37 trillion cells that make up the human body. These findings, published on 20 November in

Researchers have discovered a biological adaptation in heart cockles (Corculum cardissa), a species of bivalve found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. These clams possess unique structures in their shells that act similarly to fibre optics, guiding sunlight to symbiotic algae living within them. This allows the clams to provide their algae with the necessary

At the Supercomputing Conference or SC2024, NASA’s Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, Nicola Fox, detailed new computational tools intended to advance space science. NASA plans to employ a large language model across its science divisions, bolstered by foundation models tailored to Earth science, heliophysics, astrophysics, planetary science, and biological and physical sciences. This

SpaceX achieved new feats during the sixth major test launch of its Starship system but nixed an eagerly anticipated midair “catch” of the rocket’s booster as President-elect Donald Trump looked on in South Texas. SpaceX’s launch system, comprised of the booster and Starship upper spacecraft, cleared the tower shortly after 4 p.m. local time on

A 2,600-year-old inscription engraved on a monument in Turkey, known as Arslan Kaya or “lion rock,” has been deciphered, according to research by Professor Mark Munn of Pennsylvania State University. This ancient carving, which has endured significant damage from weathering and looting, contains references to Materan, a goddess revered by the Phrygians, an ancient civilisation

Dr Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist and conservationist, has raised the alarm over an accelerating global biodiversity crisis, describing it as the “sixth great extinction.” Speaking during her latest environmental awareness tour in Europe, Dr Goodall emphasised the importance of immediate measures to combat deforestation, restore natural habitats, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. During an

A breakthrough in biosensor technology could enable the real-time monitoring of stress and alertness in drivers and pilots. Developed by researchers from the National University of Singapore and Tsinghua University, the device, integrated into seatbelts, tracks heartbeat and respiration without needing direct contact with the skin. This innovation, detailed in Nature Electronics, promises to enhance

New research has revealed that volcanic eruptions occurred on the Moon’s far side billions of years ago, comparable to those observed on its visible side. This discovery was made through an analysis of lunar soil samples brought back by China’s Chang’e-6 spacecraft, the first mission to collect and return materials from this largely unexplored lunar

A recent cosmic census has revealed an unexpected threefold rise in active black holes within dwarf galaxies, creating the most extensive database of intermediate-mass black holes recorded to date. This survey, conducted with the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) at the Mayall Telescope in Arizona, identified over 2,500 black holes in dwarf galaxies—more than triple

A new artificial intelligence (AI) tool, Earth Copilot, has been introduced by NASA in collaboration with Microsoft to make Earth-related scientific data more accessible. Designed to summarise NASA’s extensive geospatial information, the AI-powered chatbot aims to simplify complex datasets and answer user queries with ease. By addressing questions like the environmental impact of events or

A study by the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) suggests that early Homo species may have experienced extended childhoods well before significant brain enlargement, challenging longstanding evolutionary assumptions. The findings are based on the dental development of a nearly complete sub-adult Homo skull, unearthed at the Dmanisi site in Georgia and dated to 1.77 million

Research led by the University of Tartu has revealed a potential link between industrial air pollution and localised snowfall. Observations using both satellite and ground-based radar indicate that industrial facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia may trigger local snowfall by causing ice to form in supercooled clouds. This phenomenon, observed near factories such as

New research on unique sandstone formations in the Colorado Rocky Mountains may confirm that Earth experienced a massive, planet-wide freeze known as “Snowball Earth.” About 700 million years ago, Earth’s surface was encased in ice, creating an extreme climate where early life not only survived but later evolved into complex multicellular organisms. For decades, the

A faint electric field has been detected in Earth’s atmosphere, confirming a theory that scientists have held for decades. This ambipolar electric field, though weak at just 0.55 volts, could play a vital role in shaping Earth’s atmospheric evolution and its ability to support life, according to recent findings. Glyn Collinson, an atmospheric scientist at