Earth & Environment
Hot, humid weather may increase risk of kidney failure
People living in Australia's hot and humid northern regions are more likely to suffer from kidney failure than those living in cooler and less...
This brainless animal folds itself like origami, study finds
How does a living thing fold itself into complex shapes without a brain, nerves, or muscles?
A new study of one of Earth’s simplest animals...
Scientists discover 125,000-year-old elephant tracks in southeastern Spain
For the first time, scientists have uncovered fossilized footprints of large land animals preserved in ancient coastal sand dunes in the Spanish region of...
Not just cold and conflict: Roman troops at Hadrian’s Wall battled parasites
Nearly 2,000 years ago, Roman soldiers stationed on the edge of the empire faced more than cold winds, enemy raids, and homesickness.
New research shows...
Ancient “living rocks” absorb carbon day and night in South Africa
Along the coast of South Africa, strange rocky formations quietly grow in places where life seems unlikely to survive.
These structures, known as microbialites, look...
Why brown bears in central Italy are smaller and calmer than anywhere else
Living close to humans doesn’t just change landscapes—it can also change animals themselves.
A new genetic study shows that brown bears living near villages in...
Scientists turn mussel shell waste into a sustainable abrasive for jeans
A surprising new study suggests that discarded mussel shells—usually thrown away as food waste—could help make the fashion industry more sustainable.
Researchers from the University...
Rain, dust, and ‘badass’ microbes: How life takes hold on new lava
When a volcano erupts, it looks like the ultimate destroyer. Red-hot lava pours across the land, burning everything in its path and leaving behind...
How used coffee grounds can remove toxic metals
Millions of people start their day with a cup of coffee, but few think about what happens to the used coffee grounds afterward.
Most of...
The first alien civilization we encounter will be extremely loud
For decades, science fiction writers have tried their best to prepare us for eventual contact with aliens. Their efforts are dominated by several recurrent...
How cranberries can be a Christmas cracker for health this festive season
From festive sauces to brightly coloured juices, cranberries have long been part of our diets. Beyond their tart flavour and seasonal appeal, these red...
The ‘hobbits’ mysteriously disappeared 50,000 years ago. New study reveals what happened to their...
About 50,000 years ago, humanity lost one of its last surviving hominin cousins, Homo floresiensis (also known as "the hobbit" thanks to its small...
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Smart soil: A new way to water and feed plants efficiently
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a new type of soil that can capture water from the air to keep...
Why do some clothes shrink in the wash
When your favorite dress or shirt shrinks in the wash, it can be devastating, especially if you followed the instructions closely.
Unfortunately, some fabrics just...
How early Asians walked 20,000 kilometers to South America
An international team of scientists has uncovered evidence that early Asians embarked on humanity's longest prehistoric journey, traveling more than 20,000 kilometers from North...
How cranberries can be a Christmas cracker for health this festive season
From festive sauces to brightly coloured juices, cranberries have long been part of our diets. Beyond their tart flavour and seasonal appeal, these red...
Scientists crack the secrets of dinosaur eggshells
Since the famous discovery of dinosaur eggs in the Gobi Desert in the early 1920s, the fossilized remains have captured the imaginations of paleontologists...
Warren Buffett: Why I Admire Jack Bogle So Much
Warren Buffett, known as the "Oracle of Omaha," is an American businessman and philanthropist, widely considered the most successful investor of the 20th century.
He has...
Why unemployment claims don’t capture the full economic impact of COVID-19
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to grow, few Americans have been left untouched.
Even those lucky enough to stay healthy are facing economic uncertainty or,...
Scientists find new species of lizard in stomach of Microraptor
Scientists have discovered a new specimen of the volant dromaeosaurid Microraptor zhaoianus with the remains of a nearly complete lizard preserved in its stomach.
Their...