Minerals in hot springs performed a key chemical reaction for early life on Earth
One of the biggest scientific mysteries is where life on Earth started.
Research has often focused on the role of deep-sea hydrothermal vents—those towering structures...
Dinosaur-era bird fossil reveals clues to modern avian intelligence
A groundbreaking discovery is shedding light on how modern birds developed their unique brains and intelligence.
Researchers have found an exceptionally well-preserved fossil of a...
The early Earth wasn’t completely terrible
Earth formed 4.54 billion years ago. The first period of the history of the Earth was known as the Hadean Period which lasted from...
Early North Americans made clothing with bone needles, study reveals
Archaeologists have uncovered fascinating new evidence about how early humans in North America survived cold climates nearly 13,000 years ago.
At a site in Wyoming,...
Footprints in time: Two human ancestors walked the same path 1.5 million years ago
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in northern Kenya: 1.5-million-year-old fossilized footprints belonging to two different species of human ancestors.
These prints provide a unique...
Ancient Egyptians used hallucinogenic drinks in mysterious rituals, study finds
A groundbreaking discovery has revealed that ancient Egyptians used hallucinogenic drinks in magical rituals about 2,000 years ago.
A professor from the University of South...
Iron sulfides: A spark for life in Earth’s ancient hot springs?
An international team of scientists has uncovered a fascinating role for iron sulfides in the creation of life on early Earth.
Their study, published in...
Oceans cool the planet more than we thought, study finds
The oceans have long been known as the Earth's natural climate regulators, absorbing heat and redistributing it across the planet.
Now, scientists have discovered that...
Dinosaur poop uncovers secrets of their success
Scientists have uncovered new clues about what made dinosaurs thrive millions of years ago by studying fossilized poop!
Researchers from Uppsala University and several international...
Asteroid samples returned to Earth were immediately colonized by bacteria
We’ve known for a while that complex chemistry occurs in space.
Organic molecules have been detected in cold molecular clouds, and we have even found...