Glowing rings of plankton surrounding New Zealand islands are linked to dangerous underwater plateaus — Earth seen from space
simple facts Where is it? Chatham Islands, New Zealand [-44.00258384, -176.50074474] What is in the photo? A glowing ring of phytoplankton surrounding the archipelago Which satellite took the photo? NOAA-20 When was it taken? January 10, 2026 This dazzling satellite image shows a glowing ring of plankton surrounding the remote islands of New Zealand. The […]
A giant ‘shadow’ has been crawling over Mars for 50 years, but scientists don’t know why
New photos show that a giant dark spot hidden inside a giant Martian crater has been creeping across the planet’s surface ever since the feature was first discovered 50 years ago. Scientists don’t know exactly why this is happening. This shadow structure is part of the ground covered in ash and volcanic rocks such as […]
Bruce the parrot is missing his upper beak, but that didn’t prevent him from becoming an undefeated jousting champion
A New Zealand parrot that lost the top half of its beak has developed a unique jousting technique to achieve the highest social status, researchers report in a new study. Te Whare Wāre Wānanga o Waitaha biologist Alex Grabham said the parrot, named Bruce, uses its exposed lower beak to lunge at opponents’ heads, wings, […]
Scientists identify main cause of extreme nausea and vomiting during pregnancy
Extreme nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is linked to 10 genes, one of which is likely the main cause of the condition, the largest genetic study of its kind to date has found. Most people experience some degree of nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy, but up to 10.8% have symptoms so severe that they […]
Altar of Sol: a rare 1,900-year-old monument dedicated to the Roman god of light and used in secret underground rituals
Sol’s altar had a hole drilled in the back to let light in. (Image credit: © National Museums Scotland) simple facts Name: Altar of Sol What it is: a carved sandstone altar Birthplace: Inveresk, Scotland Production date: 2nd century Before construction crews began building a new cricket pavilion at Lewisvale Park, just east of Edinburgh, […]
Loneliness may increase risk of memory loss, but not necessarily dementia
Loneliness is something most of us experience at some point. It’s a normal emotion and not a character flaw. But it’s also something that can quietly influence the way we think and remember, and researchers have long debated whether it might even increase the risk of dementia. New research published in [the journal] Aging and […]
Naked mole rats wage bloody wars of succession to choose a new queen, but one colony did something scientists have never seen before.
The naked mole rat queen rules with iron paws. These wrinkled buck-toothed monarchs forbid other females from breeding. That is, until the Queen dies and all hell breaks loose. Then the once pious females rise up and fight each other in bloody battle for the throne. They attack other females, kill pups, and wreak havoc […]
‘The chances of you living 50 years are very small’: Theoretical physicist explains why humanity likely won’t survive to see all the forces unified
When theoretical physicist David Gross was 13, he received a copy of a popular science book, “The Evolution of Physics” (Cambridge University Press, 1938), signed by Albert Einstein. The book, co-authored by Einstein himself, started Gross on a journey into the hearts of atoms, where he eventually helped answer a question that had bedeviled particle […]
Can the US be trusted with the moon? One legal scholar has expressed concern following the success of Artemis II.
Artemis II’s successful lunar orbit was a historic achievement, marking the first manned lunar flyby in more than 50 years and the longest distance ever reached by humans from the Pale Blue Dot. The mission was marked by engineering, scientific, and technological feats by NASA and other astronauts and teams that delivered the crew safely. […]
Lyrid Meteor Shower 2026: Watch the first rain of spring “shooting stars” peak in the moonless sky
The night sky is set to bring one of spring’s most anticipated celestial events as the Lyrid meteor shower returns this week. The Lyrids meteor shower, one of the oldest recorded meteor showers, will peak on Wednesday (April 22), offering a rare treat for stargazers. It’s a chance to see a shooting star, and perhaps […]