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: 29 min 23 sec ago
Famous chimpanzees solved puzzles that changed how humans understood intelligence, but their move to Berlin had a tragic ending
Pioneering chimpanzee experiments revealed advanced intelligence and problem-solving skills. These apes demonstrated insight, challenging human uniqueness in reasoning. After their research, the chimpanzees faced harsh conditions in Berlin. Their welfare declined, and their lives were largely overlooked by history. New research highlights their forgotten stories and ethical responsibilities in science.
Sequoia trees: Ancient grooves that need fire to reproduce, but are being killed by massive modern wildfires
A recent study has shown that wildfires have decimated seventeen percent of mature giant sequoias since 2015, leaving many groves vulnerable to further threats. Alarmingly, only twenty-six percent of the remaining areas have high wildfire resistance. Efforts to restore resilience and health are actively taking place in forty-four groves. The combination of warm winters and dry spells heightens the danger of future devastating wildfires.
Cyclospora outbreak in US: What to know about the explosive stomach infection and its source
The United States is currently grappling with the most significant Cyclospora outbreak in its history, with over one thousand six hundred confirmed cases spanning forty-five states. Health officials are actively tracing potential sources, with lettuce emerging as a major suspect. To mitigate risks, health experts emphasize standard hygiene and food safety practices. This parasite season is expected to last until late August.
Why everything Marie Curie and her husband touched is kept in lead-lined boxes till date
In a humble Paris shed, Marie and Pierre Curie painstakingly extracted radium from pitchblende, embarking on a journey that would earn them Nobel Prizes and revolutionize cancer treatments. Their meticulous research not only revealed the dangers of radioactive materials, which still pose risks today, but also left a legacy that continues to inspire scientists and medical innovators around the world.
Study finds James Webb could underestimate water on sub-Neptune exoplanets
New research suggests sub-Neptune exoplanets may hide significant water layers. These hidden layers could make atmospheric observations underestimate total water content. The James Webb Space Telescope's current methods might miss these deeper water reservoirs. This discovery could reshape how scientists interpret data from distant worlds. Future models will account for chemical layering in planetary interiors.
Nasa's Curiosity rover discovers evidence of an ancient sandstorm preserved in Mars rocks for billions of years
Nasa's Curiosity rover discovered ancient sandstorm evidence in Gale Crater. Delicate ripple-like layers reveal a single weather event from billions of years ago. This discovery indicates Mars once had a much denser atmosphere than today. These formations are the first definitive evidence of an ancient Martian sandstorm. The preserved event offers a rare glimpse into early Martian climate conditions.
