Earlier this year, astronomers reported possible evidence of life on another planet – but new observations from JWST suggest the apparent biosignature isn’t there after all ​Earlier this year, astronomers reported possible evidence of life on another planet – but new observations from JWST suggest the apparent biosignature isn’t there after all Earlier this year, astronomers …

Signs of alien life on exoplanet K2-18b have all but vanished Read More »

A red supergiant star is surrounded by a sphere of dust and gas so large there is no known explanation for what produced it ​A red supergiant star is surrounded by a sphere of dust and gas so large there is no known explanation for what produced it A red supergiant star is surrounded by a …

A vast bubble around a dying star is too big to comprehend Read More »

Walking 7000 steps a day may be just as powerful as hitting the much-hyped 10,000-step goal when it comes to reducing the risk of early death and disease. A sweeping global review of 57 studies shows that 7000 steps per day slashes the risk of dying early by nearly half—and brings major benefits across heart …

7000 steps a day cuts death risk by 47%—and that might be all you need Read More »

Air pollution isn’t just bad for your lungs—it may be eroding your brain. In a sweeping review covering nearly 30 million people, researchers found that common pollutants like PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, and soot are all linked to a significantly higher risk of dementia. The most dangerous? PM2.5—tiny particles from traffic and industry that can lodge …

Is the air you breathe silently fueling dementia? A 29-million-person study says yes Read More »

In 2023, the world’s oceans experienced the most intense and widespread marine heatwaves ever recorded, with some events persisting for over 500 days and covering nearly the entire globe. These searing ocean temperatures are causing mass coral bleaching and threatening fisheries, while also signaling deeper, system-wide climate changes. ​In 2023, the world’s oceans experienced the …

The oceans are overheating—and scientists say a climate tipping point may be here Read More »

Crystals may seem flawless, but deep inside they contain tiny structural imperfections that dramatically influence their strength and behavior. Researchers from The University of Osaka have used the sophisticated math of differential geometry to reveal how these defects—like dislocations and disclinations—interact in elegant, unified ways. Their findings could help scientists engineer tougher, smarter materials by …

Why broken crystals are stronger Read More »

Using advanced metasurfaces, researchers can now twist light to uncover hidden images and detect molecular handedness, potentially revolutionizing data encryption, biosensing, and drug safety. ​Using advanced metasurfaces, researchers can now twist light to uncover hidden images and detect molecular handedness, potentially revolutionizing data encryption, biosensing, and drug safety. Using advanced metasurfaces, researchers can now twist light …

This flat chip uses twisted light to reveal hidden images Read More »

What if we could predict obesity before it ever takes hold? A global team has created a genetic test that forecasts a child’s risk of adult obesity before age five—years before other factors kick in. By analyzing data from over five million people, their polygenic risk score doubles the predictive power of previous tools. While …

This DNA test can predict if a 5-year-old will be obese as an adult Read More »

Neanderthals living just 70 kilometers apart in Israel may have had different food prep customs, according to new research on butchered animal bones. These subtle variations — like how meat was cut and cooked — hint at cultural traditions passed down through generations. The findings challenge the idea that Neanderthal life was purely practical, suggesting …

Ancient recipes or rituals? Neanderthal bones reveal a prehistoric culinary mystery Read More »