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Catch up on the latest science news, from space and technology to life and environmental research- all the discoveries shaping our world today.
Updated: 2 hours 6 min ago

Antarctica averages minus 55°C at Vostok Station, yet a lake remains liquid beneath four kilometres of ice

29/07/2026
Lake Vostok, a massive body of water, lies four kilometers beneath Antarctic ice. This subglacial lake remains liquid due to insulating ice and geothermal heat. Its existence challenges our understanding of life's extreme limits and nature's magic. The lake has been isolated from the atmosphere for millions of years. Scientists continue to study this unique environment and its potential inhabitants.

New chapter in reading: AI companion tools let readers chat with books

29/07/2026
New artificial intelligence tools now let readers ask questions directly to books. These innovative platforms offer e-books and audiobooks alongside AI chatbots for immediate answers. Companies like Sinai.ai and Amazon's Audible are developing these interactive reading experiences. However, copyright and author compensation remain significant unresolved issues for these tools. Some platforms are exploring ways to pay authors and publishers for their content.

Scientists are turning seawater into a ‘blood test’ that could reveal coral reef damage before it becomes visible

28/07/2026
Researchers are using water chemistry and microbes to monitor coral reef health. Ocean currents significantly influence these chemical and microbial patterns. This approach mirrors human medicine's early disease detection methods. It allows for detecting changes before visible stress appears on corals. This interdisciplinary work aims to protect vital ocean ecosystems.

Quote of the day by Benjamin Franklin: "Many people die at twenty-five and aren't buried until…" - why a life without curiosity is only half-lived

28/07/2026
A popular quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin highlights the idea of ceasing personal growth early. This saying, though not originally Franklin's, emphasizes living fully beyond physical existence. Continuous learning and curiosity are essential for a richer life at any age. Routine can become detrimental when it replaces exploration and new experiences. Embracing change and purpose drives meaningful progress throughout one's life.

Scientists find 30% of catfish population in Vermont lake affected by a transmissible cancer

28/07/2026
A groundbreaking study has unveiled a new transmissible cancer affecting catfish populations, characterized by skin lesions that can spread from one fish to another, which is an unusual occurrence in the animal kingdom. Researchers are now delving into the mechanisms of this disease's transmission, which has already affected numerous lakes throughout New England and Canada, placing catfish among a rare group of animals susceptible to transmissible cancers.

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