The sun will vanish over Europe in a rare total solar eclipse: Watch live
A total solar eclipse will darken parts of Europe on August 12, 2026, with Spain experiencing 1 minute and 21 seconds of totality. The European Space Agency will livestream the event from the Javalambre Observatory using telescope feeds, drone footage, and expert commentary.
Voyager 2 was running out of power. NASA just bought it more time
NASA shut down power-hungry hardware on Voyager 2 and switched to lower-power alternatives while maintaining adequate heat, extending the spacecraft's operational life nearly fifty years after launch. The operation, called the "Big Bang," allowed engineers to preserve critical functions by managing power consumption and temperature simultaneously.
AI for science needs reasoning, not just data
# Summary AI systems for scientific discovery require reasoning capabilities beyond pattern recognition from large datasets to advance fundamental research. Current machine learning approaches rely heavily on data processing but lack the logical inference mechanisms necessary to generate novel scientific insights and theoretical breakthroughs.
For 15,000 years, humans and dogs have been changing each other
Dogs have evolved from hunter-gatherer companions into specialized forms over approximately 15,000 years through mutual shaping with humans. They developed distinct adaptations including Arctic sled dogs, rainforest hunters, high-altitude breeds with genetic traits for thin air survival, and wool-producing varieties.
New catalyst with 75% less platinum promises to reduce the cost of hydrogen fuel cells
A new catalyst requires 75% less platinum while maintaining the same performance as pure platinum through controlled mechanical compression that modifies atomic structure. Researchers at IMDEA Materials Institute published findings in Electrochimica Acta showing this catalyst achieves comparable energy efficiency to pure platinum.
For decades, we were told to choose low-fat dairy. New research says otherwise
Adults consuming three daily servings of full-fat dairy for 12 weeks showed no meaningful weight gain, increased body fat, or elevated cholesterol levels. Participants experienced improved blood pressure and higher intake of calcium, protein, and vitamin D compared to conventional expectations.
60,000-year-old ostrich eggshell engravings reveal a surprisingly sophisticated human mind
Humans in southern Africa engraved ostrich eggshells with geometric patterns over 60,000 years ago, featuring recurring grids, parallel lines, and right angles that suggest deliberate planning. The patterns appear more organized and rule-based than previously understood, indicating sophisticated mental design before carving began.
Scientists discover bacteria that lock toxic uranium into a stable form
Bacteria fed glycerol in uranium-contaminated water converted approximately 95% of dissolved uranium into a stable compound within 130 days. The microbes transformed the toxic uranium into an unusually stable form that had rarely been observed before.
Chemists set electrons free and break a decades-old chemistry barrier
Chemists developed a catalyst that releases electrons directly into solution, breaking a decades-old rule about electron distribution in chemical reactions. This technique enables previously impossible reactions that could produce new molecules.
Dinosaurs became giants — so why did they never become tiny?
Early mammals occupied ecological niches that prevented dinosaurs from evolving into truly tiny animals, despite dinosaurs reaching enormous sizes. Small mammals may have blocked the evolutionary pathway for mouse-sized dinosaurs by competing for similar ecological roles.
Wine, beer, or spirits? Massive study finds a surprising health divide
A decade-long study of 340,000 adults found that moderate wine consumption reduced cardiovascular death risk by 21%, while beer, cider, and spirits showed higher mortality at lower drinking levels. Heavy drinking of all beverage types increased death risk regardless of type.
A 0.42-nanometer breakthrough could push transistors beyond silicon
Researchers engineered an atomic interface in transistors using atomically thin semiconductors to protect electron flow while enabling extremely thin insulating layers. The resulting transistors achieved a 0.42-nanometer breakthrough that delivered unusually strong electrical control and performance.
'Flying focus' laser overcomes key limitation in plasma-based particle accelerators
Researchers used a specially engineered laser pulse called a flying focus to accelerate electrons to more than twice the energy predicted by traditional dephasing limits in plasma-based accelerators. The flying focus laser counteracts dephasing, a longstanding limitation that prevented electrons from gaining energy over the same distance.
Butterfly ranges shift worldwide amid climate change, with most species expanding their reach
Eighty percent of 1,758 analyzed butterfly species expanded their geographic range, with 79% of range shifts linked to climate change and extreme weather. Twenty-seven percent of species also experienced range contractions, and 22% showed elevation changes.
Meteorite that smashed through a New Jersey roof reveals clues to life’s origins
A meteorite that crashed through a New Jersey roof contains ancient salty fluids, organic compounds, and amino acids from a primitive asteroid. The pristine chemistry of this rare space rock could provide clues about how asteroids delivered ingredients necessary for life to early Earth.
New fuel cell breakthrough could help power energy-hungry data centers
A nanostructured carbon design enables fuel-cell catalysts to function with minimal platinum while maintaining stability and efficiency. This advancement could make hydrogen fuel cells more practical for powering data centers, vehicles, and other energy-intensive applications.
Scientists reveal how much exercise you really need to protect your heart
People exercising 560 to 610 minutes weekly gained substantially greater heart protection than those meeting the standard 150-minute recommendation. The study suggests nearly 9 to 10 hours of brisk walking, running, cycling, or similar activity provides more robust defense against heart attacks and strokes.
The sun is covered in tiny whirlpools we’ve never seen before
Tiny plasma whirlpools measuring as small as 20 kilometers wide have been discovered swirling across the Sun's surface. These vortices may twist magnetic fields and accelerate their spread through the Sun's atmosphere faster than existing models predict.
Swarms of tiny robots remove microplastics from soil and water
Tiny robots are being deployed to remove microplastic particles under 5 millimeters from soil and water. The robots address contamination that damages soil fertility, disrupts nutrient cycling, and harms aquatic and terrestrial life.
Mega-study analyzes the impact of gratitude interventions
A study across 34 countries with over 10,000 participants examined which gratitude interventions most effectively improve mood and strengthen social bonds. Brazil contributed 598 volunteers who participated in the research using an online tool to respond to intervention prompts.
New AI model reveals the volume of the world's glaciers
A new AI model created by researchers at Ca Foscari University of Venice and Italy's National Research Council mapped the volume of ice stored in the world's glaciers and their precise locations. The study produced an updated global map showing where glacier ice is distributed across the planet.
Creating cleaner chemical reactions that run on oxygen and produce only water as waste
Scientists developed chemical reactions that use oxygen to drive organic transformations while producing only water as waste, mimicking how natural enzymes rearrange oxygen's electrons to activate reactions. The approach addresses oxygen's unusual electronic configuration that normally slows reactions with organic matter.
New 'shape-shifting' architecture brings versatility to photonic quantum computing
Researchers developed a shape-shifting photonic architecture that enables light-based quantum computers to perform a broader range of computations by overcoming photons' natural lack of interactions. The new system uses reconfigurable components to manipulate quantum information carried by light particles across multiple processing modes.
As Canada’s captive belugas arrive in the US, questions linger about their future
Thirteen beluga whales from a closed Canadian theme park arrived in the United States through two transfers in July and August. Six whales moved on July 21, followed by seven whales on August 3, as part of an emergency relocation from Marineland.
A banana byproduct transforms farm waste into profits in Bangladesh
Banana stems left after harvest are being processed into fiber for textiles, yarns, and handicrafts in Bangladesh, where bananas represent 20% of all fruit crops. The extracted banana fiber serves as a biodegradable material that transforms agricultural waste into manufactured products.
Vitamin C may fight cancer — but not the way scientists once thought
Intravenous vitamin C reaches vastly higher concentrations than pills and may damage vulnerable cancer cells while reducing treatment side effects. Early studies suggest this approach could improve outcomes for some patients, though it functions more like an experimental drug than a supplement.
Thermal drones deployed in Kenya’s Amboseli Park to tackle human-elephant conflict
Thermal imaging drones were deployed in Kenya's Amboseli National Park to help monitor elephants and reduce conflicts with nearby farmers. The technology allows rangers to detect elephants at night, enabling them to chase animals away before they damage crops on farms like those within 30 kilometers of the park.
New autism therapy shows surprising benefits even in adult mice
Blocking the glycine transporter SLC6A20 restored brain signaling and improved social, communication, and repetitive behaviors in autism-related mouse models. The treatment also showed lasting effects in adult mice and functioned in human brain organoids.
UCLA scientists discover how to guide heat like light at room temperature
Scientists demonstrated that heat can travel through crystal in focused, directional waves at room temperature rather than dispersing randomly. This discovery could enable routing heat away from sensitive components in advanced chips and quantum devices.
Scientists tracked 12 people in Antarctica for 10 months—what happened could shape future Mars missions
Scientists studied 12 people isolated in Antarctica for ten months and found that frequent contact with the same crew members increased tension and mistrust. The isolated group gradually split into smaller factions based on cultural and language differences, a pattern relevant to planning extended space missions.