Shark experts tested four innovative wetsuit materials to measure how well they reduce shark-bite injuries. The results show they can lessen major trauma, blood loss, and even save lives when compared to standard neoprene. While not a perfect shield, these suits represent a leap forward in personal protection.
Hidden bacterial molecules in the brain reveal new secrets of sleep
New studies show that a bacterial molecule, peptidoglycan, is present in the brain and fluctuates with sleep patterns. This challenges the idea that sleep is solely brain-driven, instead suggesting it’s a collaborative process between our bodies and microbiomes. The theory links microbes not only to sleep but also to cognition,...
This flower smells like dying ants, and flies can’t resist it
Vincetoxicum nakaianum tricks flies into pollinating it by imitating the smell of ants attacked by spiders. Ko Mochizuki stumbled upon this finding when he noticed flies clustering around the flowers and later confirmed their unusual preference. The study reveals the first known case of ant odor mimicry in plants, expanding...
Scientists Show How to Grow More Nutritious Rice That Uses Less Fertilizer
The cultivation of rice—the staple grain for more than 3.5 billion people around the world—comes with extremely high environmental, climate and economic costs.
Turning Old Smartphones into Battery-free, Biodegradable Ecosystem Monitors
If the goal of monitoring our natural resources is to protect the environment, shouldn’t the technology involved be sustainable as well?
NYC’s Composting Rates Are Low. A Sustainability Expert Thinks AI Will Offer a Solution. Eventually
In the U.S., more than one third of food goes to waste. As such, more food ends up in landfills than any other material.
Scientists crack the explosive secret of how diamonds reach the surface
Diamonds hitch a ride to the surface through explosive kimberlite eruptions, powered by volatile-rich magmas. New simulations show that carbon dioxide and water are the secret ingredients that make these eruptions possible.
A tiny mineral may hold the secret to feeding billions sustainably
Rice, a staple for billions, is one of the most resource-hungry crops on the planet—but scientists may have found a way to change that. By applying nanoscale selenium directly to rice plants, researchers dramatically improved nitrogen efficiency, boosted yields, and made grains more nutritious while reducing fertilizer use and cutting...
This forgotten king united England long before 1066
Æthelstan, crowned in 925, was the first true king of England but remains overshadowed by Alfred the Great and later rulers. A new biography highlights his military triumphs, legal innovations, and cultural patronage that shaped England’s identity. From the decisive Battle of Brunanburh to his reforms in governance and learning,...
Dogs can tell how toys work without any training
Gifted dogs can categorize toys by function, not just appearance. In playful at-home tests, they linked labels like “fetch” and “pull” to toys—even ones they’d never seen before. The findings hint that dogs form mental concepts of objects, much like humans, pointing to deeper cognitive abilities.