Earth’s molten core suddenly reversed direction — and scientists don’t know why
Earth's molten iron core beneath the Pacific reversed direction, a change detected by satellite data of the planet's magnetic field. Scientists observed the surge is already weakening, suggesting the deep-Earth shift may be part of a natural cycle.
Wearable ultrasound patch boosts REM sleep without drugs or surgery
A wearable ultrasound patch shortened time to REM sleep by 43 minutes and extended REM duration by approximately 16 minutes in a 28-person study. The device produced signs of improved stress regulation and altered brain circuits associated with emotion without requiring medication or surgical intervention.
Protecting primates could protect thousands of other species, study finds
A new study recommends prioritizing primate habitat protection as a conservation strategy, since safeguarding primate territories also preserves habitats for thousands of other species. This umbrella species approach could protect multiple species simultaneously through protecting the large areas that primates require for survival.
Scientists find unexpected life on Ötzi the Iceman’s 5,300-year-old body
Scientists identified ancient gut bacteria and cold-loving yeasts living on Ötzi the Iceman's 5,300-year-old frozen body. The researchers separated microbes present during his lifetime from those that arrived after death, finding organisms that survived in the glacier for thousands of years.
On the front lines of conservation in Sumatra: Rangers safeguard Batutegi forest
Forest rangers patrol nearly 60,000 hectares of Batutegi forest in southern Sumatra to protect its ecological and economic resources. Wandi Harmoko has walked the forest's ridges and valleys for over fifteen years as one of only a handful of officers assigned to this territory.
Bacterial enzyme switch could weaken antibiotic defenses in MRSA and other pathogens
A bacterial enzyme switch has been identified that could weaken antibiotic defenses in MRSA and other pathogens. Researchers at the University of Delaware discovered this mechanism that allows pathogenic bacteria to develop resistance to antibiotic treatments.
How social media and parrotfish poop are protecting the Maldives
Shaha Hashim discovered through social media posts that protected species including giant clams, Napoleon wrasse, and parrotfish were being illegally fished and sold in Maldivian fish markets. This discovery six years ago led to conservation efforts targeting vulnerable species in the atoll islands.
Charting the galaxy: Milky Way Mapper survey releases latest all-sky spectra
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey released its 20th public data containing spectra from the Milky Way Mapper, the most detailed spectroscopic map of stars in our galaxy. The release represents a significant expansion of the survey's coverage and data availability for astronomical research.
Decoding the North American bison's genome to better inform conservation efforts
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz used paleogenomics to create a genetic roadmap for bison conservation by analyzing ancient DNA. The study aims to guide restoration efforts for the North American bison species, which nearly went extinct.
From radar blobs to bird species, AI helps transform migration tracking
Scientists developed AI models to identify specific bird species from weather radar data that previously showed birds only as indistinct blobs. The system can now distinguish individual species during their annual migrations across the United States using radar reflectivity measurements.
Major study challenges long-held fears about acetaminophen and ibuprofen use in babies
A study of nearly 4,000 babies found that acetaminophen and ibuprofen were equally safe during infancy, with neither medicine linked to eczema or bronchiolitis. Researchers will continue monitoring the children through age six to investigate potential long-term effects.
A star’s violent death exposed a hidden supermassive black hole
A dormant supermassive black hole was discovered 30,000 light-years from its galaxy's center after it shredded a passing star and created a bright flare. Astronomers believe it could be a remnant of a consumed galaxy or a black hole ejected during a cosmic collision.
Cell-inspired nanoreactor turns sunlight into hydrogen peroxide
A hollow nanoreactor designed to mimic cell structures converts sunlight into hydrogen peroxide more efficiently using visible light. The device features a light-trapping cavity and a proton-shuttling shell for enhanced chemical conversion.
On a Philippine beach, villagers are stepping up to save sea turtle nests
Villagers in San Vicente, Philippines are protecting olive ridley sea turtle nests from threats including dogs, tourism, severe storms, and high tides on crucial nesting beaches in Palawan province. The NGO Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines is leading conservation efforts to help the turtles and their hatchlings survive their vulnerable beach journeys.
The AMOC stayed strong even as a major ocean “lifeline” nearly shut down
A 3.4-million-year-old sediment record shows that when warm salty water from the Indian Ocean nearly stopped flowing into the Atlantic, the AMOC circulation system unexpectedly strengthened rather than weakened. Parts of the overturning circulation intensified despite this major ocean "lifeline" nearly shutting down.
Powerhouses for fake meat: Muscle protein can now be grown in chloroplasts of lettuce and tobacco plants
Muscle protein can now be grown in chloroplasts of lettuce and tobacco plants for use in fake meat production. The global market for meat alternatives is currently worth €6.7 billion to €8.1 billion annually and is projected to grow 8.1% to 12.3% each year over the next decade.
THC medication made PTSD nightmares disappear for more than a third of patients
A prescription THC medication eliminated recurring nightmares in more than one-third of PTSD patients after ten weeks of treatment. The finding suggests a potential therapeutic approach for trauma-related nightmares, which are among the condition's most persistent symptoms.
Claude Fable 5 AI finds a tiny formula that topples an 87-year-old math conjecture
Claude Fable 5 discovered a simple counterexample disproving the Jacobian conjecture in three dimensions and higher, solving a problem unsolved for over 87 years. The two-dimensional version of the conjecture remains unresolved despite the counterexample's findings.
567-million-year-old fossils rewrite the dawn of animal life
Fossils from a Canadian site dated to 567 million years old show early animals with abilities to move, reproduce sexually, and possess distinct body plans. The discovery shifts major evolutionary developments back by 10 million years and indicates complex animal life may have originated in deep ocean environments.
Miniaturized laser technology paves the way for fundamental physics experiments in space
An international research team produced atomic quantum gas mixtures with record particle flux using the MAIUS-B apparatus, generating Bose-Einstein condensates from rubidium and potassium under microgravity conditions. The experiments were conducted in the Einstein Elevator at Leibniz University Hannover in Germany.
One of the world's only two complete dodo skulls reveals new clues about the extinct bird
A complete dodo skull housed in Copenhagen's Natural History Museum has been analyzed in a study led by Canadian researchers to understand the extinct bird's sensory perception. The skull, one of only two known complete specimens worldwide, revealed new information about how the dodo experienced its environment through its sensory systems.
Air-stable, ultrathin superconductors developed for more scalable quantum devices
Scientists developed air-stable superconductors measuring just one to a few atoms thick that resist rapid degradation. These ultrathin materials enable more compact and scalable quantum devices compared to conventional superconductors.
Long-term study suggests landfill methane emissions are far higher than estimates
Landfill methane emissions measured continuously at a New Jersey site were found to be significantly higher than current estimates, according to a Columbia University study. Researchers used ground-based measurements to determine that U.S. and global methane pollution calculations from landfills may be substantially underestimated.
Experimental drug turns cancer's favorite fuel against it
An experimental drug blocks cancer cells' ability to metabolize sugar, their primary fuel source for rapid growth. The approach attempts to starve cancer cells by preventing them from accessing glucose, their preferred energy source.
Laser scanning may help prevent urban trees from falling
Researchers used LiDAR technology to create 3D digital models of urban trees by generating point clouds with millions of coordinates. This laser-scanning approach maps tree architecture precisely to assess health and guide pruning decisions that reduce falling risk.
NASA’s IXPE May Have Proven 90-Year-Old Theory
NASA's IXPE conducted over 140 hours of observations of a magnetar and detected X-ray polarization patterns matching predictions from nearly a century-old physics theory. The results, published in Nature, represent the first direct measurement of empty space exhibiting the theoretically predicted behavior.
IEEE Course Teaches How to Use AI to Modernize Power Grids
Millions of digital sensors and smart meters generate continuous data streams that human operators cannot process fast enough, requiring automated computer analysis. Texas's largest power transmission utility reported 220 gigawatts of new connection requests, driven largely by data center energy demands.
Artemis III Orion Crew and Service Models Joined
The Orion crew and service modules were joined together on July 30, 2026, at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew module will carry four astronauts: three NASA astronauts and one ESA astronaut named Luca Parmitano.
NASA’s Perseverance Captures Phobos and Earth
NASA's Perseverance rover captured images of Earth passing behind the Martian moon Phobos on July 2, 2026, using its Mastcam-Z instrument on the mission's 1,907th sol. The composite of seven images shows Earth as a small bright dot moving behind Phobos against a black background.
NASA’s Perseverance Rover Watches Earth Vanish Behind Martian Moon
NASA's Perseverance rover captured images of Earth disappearing behind the Martian moon Phobos, marking the first time this phenomenon was photographed from Mars's surface. Earth appears as a point of light in the Martian sky as it passes behind Phobos, the larger of Mars's two moons.