Bandera Volcano Ice Cave: Strange lava tube in New Mexico where temperatures are constantly below freezing
simple facts Name: Bandera Volcano Ice Cave Location: Zuni Mountains, New Mexico Coordinates: 34.9932, -108.0807 Why we don’t believe it: The cave is so cold that arctic algae grows on the ice inside. Bandera Volcano Ice Cave is a cavity in the ground in New Mexico where temperatures never exceed 31 degrees Fahrenheit (-0.6 degrees […]
All major galaxies except one are moving away from the Milky Way – and we finally know why
The structure of the local universe is surprisingly flat, according to a new study, and this cosmic peculiarity could save our Milky Way galaxy from colliding with countless nearby giant galaxies, except for one. For decades, astronomers have made the puzzling observation that our nearest galactic neighbor, Andromeda, is hurtling towards a possible collision with […]
“Mono” viruses increase the risk of MS and cancer for some people. 22 genes suggest why.
Approximately 90% of people will become infected with the Epstein-Barr virus at some point in their lives. In most cases, the virus causes a mild, transient illness or no symptoms at all. However, for some people, Epstein Barr may ultimately contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as lupus or multiple sclerosis, or cancer. […]
The spotted orchid fly has invaded the United States. They may have acquired evolutionary superpowers in Chinese cities.
Spotted Lambo spread across the United States with relentless speed. And now we have a clue as to why. Living in cities appears to have made these invasive insects more resistant to stress. “Cities may act as evolutionary incubators that allow invasive species to better cope with pressures such as heat and pesticides, which may […]
Kanji the bonobo was able to pretend – a trait thought to be unique to humans.
Scientists have experimentally shown for the first time that bonobos (Pan paniscus), our closest living relatives along with chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), are capable of pretend play previously thought to be unique to humans. Kanji, a unique bonobo that can understand English, was able to track imaginary juices and grapes during pretend tea parties, much like […]
The black hole explosion, named “Jetty McGetface,” is one of the most energetic objects in the universe.
Jets from supermassive black holes become more energetic over time, and are now thought to be one of the most energetic objects in the universe. The jet, dubbed the Jetty McJet Face, originated from a previously studied black hole in 2022, which grabbed a star and began smashing it into pieces, ejecting jets in the […]
New scan reveals Martian meteorite that fell to Earth was filled with ancient water
Many tiny flecks of ancient water are trapped inside the oldest and most famous Martian meteorite ever to fall to Earth, a new study has found. The surprising discovery, achieved using a new form of ‘neutron scanning’, reveals further clues about Mars’ watery past, which may have been the setting for the flourishing of extraterrestrial […]
7,500-year-old deer headdress discovered in Germany shows hunter-gatherers shared sacred objects and ideas with the region’s first farmers
Deer headdresses unearthed at an archaeological site in Germany reveal that Stone Age hunter-gatherers shared sacred objects, tools and ideas with farming communities some 7,500 years ago, a new study reveals. The ancient farming village near Eilsleben, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) east of Hannover in northern Germany, was “a kind of outpost” for some […]
How well can AI and humans work together? Scientists are looking to Dungeons & Dragons to find out.
Artificial intelligence (AI) models are playing the popular tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) to help researchers develop long-term strategies and test their ability to collaborate with other AI systems and human players. In the study, presented at the NeurIPS 2025 conference in San Diego from Dec. 2 to Dec. 7, researchers said D&D […]
Saltwater crocodiles crossed the Indian Ocean to the Seychelles before humans arrived and made them extinct.
Saltwater crocodiles once ranged across a vast range from across the Indian Ocean to the Seychelles, a new DNA study confirms. The extinct crocodile population in the Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, was not a group of Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus), nor was it a separate species. Rather, it is probably the […]