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: 7 min 31 sec ago
Lewis Latimer's first patent improved train toilets before electric lighting
Lewis Howard Latimer first patented an improved railway water closet in 1874. This invention addressed sanitation issues for nineteenth-century train passengers. Latimer later became known for his work in electric lighting and Edison. He also developed innovations for incandescent lighting systems. His early patent marked a significant start to his engineering career.
The world's biggest oxygen producer isn't the Amazon. It's the ocean filled with tiny invisible life
Researchers studied 1,561 forest plots across 10 tropical countries; non-native trees formed 28% of stems in young moist forests, but declined as the canopy returned
Young tropical forests show many non-native trees while canopies remain open. As forests mature and canopies close, these non-native species tend to decrease. This pattern was observed across ten tropical countries in a recent study. Early forest regeneration is vulnerable to invasive species, which can establish easily. Understanding these dynamics aids effective forest restoration planning and native ecosystem recovery.
Bermuda snails were thought to be extinct from the island, a decade later breeders have released over 100,000 of them back
Once thought to be lost forever, the incredible Bermuda snail has been successfully revived. A decade ago, a small group was rediscovered and subsequently bred at Chester Zoo. Thousands were released back into safeguarded woodland areas in Bermuda, where six colonies have thrived. This success not only supports ecosystem recovery but also allows conservationists to shift their attention to breeding another rare native snail species.
El Salvador archaeologists lifted a burial sealed beneath 2,800-year-old volcanic ash; the person lay face down with a sea turtle-shaped vessel near one hand
Archaeologists discovered a 2,800-year-old burial in El Salvador clutching a sea turtle vessel. This Mesoamerican burial may belong to a pre-Maya civilization which practiced human sacrifice. The skeleton was found under volcanic ash from an eruption dating to 850-830 BC. Cassava remnants found in the pit symbolize continuation and spiritual resonance. Further chemical analysis will reveal more about the individual's life and diet.
China lost more than 50% of its mangrove forests by the 2000s, now it has restored 22,500 hectares of the trees
China has made remarkable strides in restoring its mangrove ecosystems, committing to large-scale projects that have expanded coverage significantly. By planting and revitalizing thousands of hectares, not only has biodiversity surged, but the quality of these crucial habitats has also seen improvement. Robust legal measures now safeguard more than ninety percent of mangrove areas, complemented by the establishment of an international center focused on mangrove conservation in Shenzhen.