Health & Fitness

Six helicopters will drop 550 tons of poison on this island in the Indian Ocean: Why a project is spending $10 million on the exercise

Marion Island faces a massive mouse eradication effort using helicopters and poison. This project aims to protect native seabirds from the invasive rodent population. Helicopters will distribute 550 tons of rodenticide across the island's terrain. An aerial test is planned for April and May 2027 to evaluate the strategy. The eradication is essential for preserving the island's unique biodiversity.

Humanoid robots perform live surgery for the first time in world-first medical breakthrough

Scientists use AI to decode sperm whale communication, discovering a possible phonetic alphabet and revealing that Mediterranean sperm whales have different dialects by region

In a groundbreaking study, scientists harnessed the power of artificial intelligence to decode the intricate communication system of sperm whales. Through their research, they discovered a phonetic alphabet and combinations of clicks that resemble words, revealing a unique regional dialect among sperm whales in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. This revelation transforms our understanding of non-human communication and highlights the importance of these vocalizations for conservation efforts.

Quote of the day by Nikola Tesla: If your hate could be turned into electricity, it would - a timeless lesson about turning negativity into purpose

Scientists create smartwatch-like plant wearables that let farmers monitor crops in real time, detecting drought, disease and nutrient problems days before plants show visible signs of stress

British farmers are on the verge of integrating innovative plant wearables to enhance crop monitoring. These tiny sensors affixed to leaves and stems can detect distress signals in plants days before visible symptoms appear. Powered by moisture evaporation, the devices continuously operate, distinguishing between water and salinity stress while tracking growth alterations. A network of these wearables could yield unparalleled insight into field conditions from a plant's perspective.

Scientists find nanoplastics in Antarctic soil for the first time, including tyre-wear particles, raising concerns that tiny plastic pollution can travel through the atmosphere to Earth's most remote places

In a groundbreaking study, scientists have identified nanoplastics in the pristine soils of Antarctica for the very first time. These microscopic plastic particles journey through the atmosphere, reaching even the most isolated regions. Analysis of soil samples revealed contamination from tyre wear and everyday plastic products. It suggests that both local human activities and far-reaching atmospheric movements contribute to this alarming trend, underscoring the widespread impact of plastic pollution worldwide.

A 2,500-year-old warrior prince tomb found in Italy had a chariot, helmet and weapons still inside

Archaeologists in Italy have unearthed a 2,500-year-old tomb of a pre-Roman warrior prince. This royal burial was found in Sirolo and belonged to the ancient Piceni civilization. The warrior prince was buried with a two-wheeled chariot and weapons. Nearby, a woman's burial contained textiles and ancient metal pins. This discovery sheds new light on the Piceni elite and their burial practices.

Lake Powell and Lake Mead are both running dangerously low, and scientists now say one radical idea could help: drain most of Lake Powell and store the water in Lake Mead instead

A Colorado River expert suggests moving water from Lake Powell to Lake Mead. This proposal addresses ongoing drought conditions impacting western United States water supplies. Lake Powell's dam infrastructure limits usable water storage, while Lake Mead offers greater capacity. The plan involves gradual water transfer and potential exposure of Glen Canyon. This strategy aims for long-term water management solutions for millions.

Quote of the day by Isaac Newton: I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies but not the madness of people - why human behaviour is harder to predict than the stars

Bumblebees carry up to 7 times more toxic metals than honeybees, study finds

Gagnayaan: Isro clears another parachute milestone; IMAT-5 Done, but details on 4th test elusive

Nasa study reveals global mangrove recovery, but rising seas still pose a major threat on them

Japan does not cut down centuries-old trees for development. Instead, experts spend months preparing their roots and relocating them

Why chocolate comes wrapped in foil: The surprising science behind its shiny protective layer

One of the world's largest T. rex skeletons is heading to auction with a price tag of up to $30 million

A remarkable Tyrannosaurus rex fossil, affectionately dubbed Gus, is set to hit the auction block at Sotheby's. Measuring an impressive 38 feet in length, this nearly complete skeleton is anticipated to attract bids ranging from twenty to thirty million dollars. Its outstanding preservation and size underscore Gus's significance within the growing market for collectible dinosaur fossils.

Towering trees more than 200 feet tall may not be as vulnerable to drought as scientists thought, new study reveals how Southeast Asias dipterocarps efficiently move water

Recent studies unveil that massive trees in Southeast Asia possess remarkable adaptations in their water transport mechanisms. These trees, known for reaching impressive heights, can effectively draw water upward, defying the challenges posed by gravity. This groundbreaking research, focusing on Malaysia's dipterocarps, shows that taller trees feature broader xylem vessels, offering fresh insights into their resilience amidst climate change.

Scientists recreate a 2-billion-year-old enzyme and uncover how early life survived on Earth

One day, two spectacular sky events: Solar eclipse and Perseid meteor shower to align on August 12, 2026

Scientists find a hidden atmosphere around a small world beyond Pluto called 2002 XV93

Cambridge scientists create a living bio-battery that generates electricity around the clock using algae and could replace millions of disposable batteries

The world's tallest trees are tricking gravity to survive drought by widening their internal water pipes and rewiring their water transport system

A robot army is heading to Greenland for a mission scientists once thought was impossible

Where did the universe's oldest star clusters come from? A new study has an answer

Scientists named this ancient galaxy CR7 after Cristiano Ronaldo, but its real significance lies 13 billion years in the past

A 1,700-year-old inscription found at a Mithras temple mentions Jesus Christ and may show how Christianity overtook a mysterious Roman cult

An Aramaic inscription found at Zerzevan Castle documents the closure of a Mithras temple. This ancient text provides rare written evidence of religious transition in Roman Turkey. The inscription, dating to the third or fourth century AD, mentions both Mithras and Jesus Christ. It also includes references to the Holy Cross, signifying a Christian presence. This discovery adds to other early Christian archaeological finds in present-day Turkey.

NASA Chief says China can soon outsmart US in space exploration: But could shape the future of space

In an exciting twist of cosmic competition, China and the United States have sparked a modern space race aimed at lunar exploration. With NASA's Artemis program facing delays, China is quickly advancing its goals. This fierce rivalry focuses on securing lunar resources and establishing a lasting foothold on the Moon, potentially paving the way for humanity's next giant leap towards Mars.

A new island rose from the sea in Iceland in 1963, but everyone except scientists is banned from setting foot on it: Here's why

Cliff swallows abandoned the California town they once filled every spring, then people came together to rebuild their homes and welcomed them back with an annual festival

Less than 30% of Earths ocean floor has been mapped while scientists still have clearer high-resolution data of Mars than most of the seabed covering our own planet

Despite the vastness of Earth's oceans, only about thirty percent of the seafloor is charted to modern specifications, revealing a stark difference with Mars, whose surface boasts complete mapping. The Seabed 2030 initiative has dramatically improved ocean coverage from six to nearly twenty-nine percent. This meticulous mapping relies on ships and sonar, a time-intensive endeavor crucial for effective tsunami predictions and maintaining submarine cables.

In 1847, a Vienna doctor discovered that handwashing with chlorine could cut childbirth deaths by 90 percent, but the medical world refused to believe him

In a radical move, Ignaz Semmelweis mandated handwashing in hospitals, drastically reducing maternal mortality rates. Despite evidence supporting his approach, he faced fierce opposition from fellow medical professionals, as he couldn't provide a scientific rationale for his findings. Much later, the establishment of germ theory validated his revolutionary work, leading to fundamental changes in medical practices that ultimately saved innumerable lives.

For the first time, scientists have recovered ancient DNA left behind on cave walls and rock art, opening a new way to study the people who made prehistoric art thousands of years ago

In an extraordinary breakthrough, researchers have isolated ancient human DNA from prehistoric cave paintings found in Spain and Portugal. Published in Nature Communications, this pioneering work opens doors to identifying the creators of these works, including their gender and lineage. The DNA seems to have seeped through bodily fluids, giving us a fascinating link to the artists who crafted these enduring relics thousands of years ago.

Antarctica froze 25 million years before the Arctic, and scientists now think the answer was hidden beneath the continent

Nasa Chief Jared Isaacman says the new space race has already begun, and this time it is with China in the race to land on Moon by 2030

A scientist built 200 hotels for bees. Three years later, the guests he found changed what we know about pollinators and biodiversity