Earth & Environment
Scientists discover the youngest armored dinosaur ever found
For more than two decades, a small dinosaur from China has left scientists scratching their heads.
Known as Liaoningosaurus paradoxus, this strange fossil looked like...
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...
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Why would anyone want to sit on a plane for over 18 hours?
An economist takes the world’s longest flight.
Recently Qantas announced plans to conduct test flights from New York and London to Sydney and two other...
This ancient shark from China is humans’ oldest jawed ancestor
Living sharks are often portrayed as the apex predators of the marine realm.
Paleontologists have been able to identify fossils of their extinct ancestors that...
Jack Bogle: Why you should invest in U.S. index funds
An index fund is a portfolio of stocks or bonds designed to mimic the composition and performance of a financial market index.
A central advantage to index...
New fossil discovery shows 50 million-year-old Canada-Australia connection
The discovery of a tiny insect fossil is unearthing big questions about the global movement of animals and the connection to changes in climate...
Every bird has some dinosaur form, shows study
All baby birds have a moment prior to hatching when their hip bone is a tiny replica of a dinosaur’s pelvis.
That’s one of the...
AI helps unravel the mystery of ocean’s giant waves
For centuries, sailors have told tales of enormous rogue waves, capable of damaging ships and oil platforms.
These monster waves, often dismissed as myths, are...
New technique uses earth’s surface to reveal its hidden interior
Scientists at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a groundbreaking technique that uses surface mapping technology to look inside the Earth.
This new...
Microplastics may be weakening our bones, scientists warn
Plastic has become a part of nearly every aspect of modern life.
More than 400 million tons are produced each year, and the waste is...