80-million-year-old snake brain reveals a surprising evolutionary secret
An 80-million-year-old Brazilian snake fossil shows that early snakes occupied diverse habitats including burrowing, above-ground, and marine environments. Brain reconstructions of Tametara mirim revealed adaptations for burrowing while other contemporary fossils displayed sensory systems suited to different ecological niches.
Read full story →Venus’s pale yellow clouds may hide something surprisingly dark
Scientists calculated that Venus's clouds' unidentified dark ultraviolet material absorbs light far more strongly than previously thought. This finding narrows possibilities for determining whether the mysterious substance is organic, inorganic, or something unexpected.
Scientists find water was fueling volcanoes 3 billion years ago
Water-rich crustal material sank into Earth's mantle more than three billion years ago through a process called "dripduction," fueling volcanic eruptions. Ancient rocks from Western Australia provided evidence that this water-delivery mechanism operated long before modern plate tectonics fully developed.
Scientists discover a hidden switch that shuts down inflammation
Scientists discovered a natural braking system that switches off inflammation and prevents harmful immune cell buildup. Boosting this pathway in people reduced inflammation-related immune changes and accelerated pain relief.