Science Alert
Catch up on the latest science news, from space and technology to life and environmental research- all the discoveries shaping our world today.
Updated: 22 min 54 sec ago
ESA prepares to land on Enceladus: The hidden ocean world that may hold the first evidence of alien life
The European Space Agency is planning an ambitious mission to Saturn's moon Enceladus, launching in the 2040s. Utilizing an orbiter and lander, the mission will directly sample material from the moon's subsurface ocean via its geysers. Scientists aim to analyze these plumes for clues to extraterrestrial life, making Enceladus a prime target in the search for life beyond Earth.
Mind-bending theory claims we’re actually in the year 1726 and that 300 years of history never happened
A fringe historical theory claims we’re actually living in the 1700s, arguing that nearly 300 years of early medieval history were fabricated by medieval rulers. But historians point to recorded astronomy, tree-ring dating and extensive global archives as solid evidence those centuries really occurred. The Phantom Time Hypothesis remains a fascinating idea, but not one supported by serious scholarship.
How Africa may become Earth’s next ocean basin in 5 to 10 million years giving birth to a new ocean
Scientists are observing a new ocean forming in Africa's Afar region, a unique geological hotspot. Early magnetic surveys from 1968, combined with recent data from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, reveal how continental crust is breaking apart and transforming into oceanic crust. These findings offer a rare, real-time glimpse into the birth of a new ocean basin.
‘Cosmic Creepy-Crawly’: Nasa unveils new Red Spider Nebula image; reveals new details
NASA's James Webb Telescope has unveiled stunning new details of the Red Spider Nebula, NGC 6537. The image reveals the nebula's central star, previously faint, now glowing red due to hot dust. Scientists are also seeing the full extent of the nebula's 'legs' and a fast-moving jet carving its intricate structure, offering fresh insights into stellar death.
Men are puzzled by the ‘stitch line’ running down the scrotum: Here’s what it actually is
Many men eventually discover a seam-like line on their scrotum and wonder whether it’s a scar, or something abnormal. In fact, it’s completely normal and medically known as the scrotal raphe, a developmental remnant from early fetal life. Health experts explain how, during embryonic development, genital tissue fuses under the influence of hormones, leaving this visible line, a harmless anatomical marker we all began with.
Scientists used Hollywood movies to hack the human brain and they found something wild
Researchers are using Hollywood films in brain-scanning studies, revealing that viewers' brains synchronize during emotionally charged scenes. This approach captures genuine, immersive reactions, offering insights into empathy, anxiety, and how the brain constructs and predicts the world. The findings hold potential for personalized mental health treatments and understanding narrative impact.
‘Miniature-lightning’ detected on Mars: Nasa rover makes rare discovery— new study explains
NASA's Perseverance rover has detected 'mini-lightning' on Mars for the first time, capturing faint crackles from dust-driven electrical discharges during storms. These tiny, centimetre-scale sparks, unlike Earth's lightning, were recorded by the rover's microphone, offering compelling evidence of atmospheric electrical activity on the Red Planet. Researchers are eager for further confirmation.
