Scientists in Tokyo have uncovered “Inocles,” massive strands of extrachromosomal DNA hidden inside bacteria in human mouths. These giants, overlooked by traditional sequencing, could explain how oral microbes adapt, survive, and impact health. Found in nearly three-quarters of people, Inocles carry genes for stress resistance and may even hint at...
Scientists just discovered how octopuses really use their arms
Octopuses aren’t just flexible—they’re astonishingly strategic. A new study reveals how their eight arms coordinate with surprising precision: front arms for exploring, back arms for locomotion, and every arm capable of twisting, bending, shortening, and elongating in unique ways. Researchers observed nearly 7,000 deformations across multiple habitats, capturing behaviors from...
No one knows what these strange larvae grow into
Not all barnacles just sit on rocks and ships. Some invade crabs, growing like a parasitic root system that hijacks their bodies. A mysterious group called y-larvae has baffled scientists for over a century, with no known adult stage. Genetic evidence now reveals they’re related to barnacles and may also...
NASA’s Perseverance rover finds clues to ancient Mars chemistry and possible life
Mars’ Jezero Crater holds signs of ancient water and strange mineral reactions, some linked with organic compounds. With Perseverance’s samples and AI-refined mineral maps, scientists are closing in on whether Mars once had the chemistry needed for life.
Rising Heat Waves Tied to Fossil Fuel and Cement Production
According to ETH Zurich climate researchers, greenhouse gas emissions from major fossil fuel and cement producers are significant contributors to the occurrence and intensity of heat waves.
New Species Survival Commission Fills Critical Gap in Conservation
Group to examine potential extinction of microbes essential to planetary and human health.
Lightning to Spark More Wildfires in Western Us in Coming Decades
New study finds increasing hot weather and lightning could spark more fires.
AI Satellite Survey Challenges Long-standing Estimates of Serengeti Wildebeest Numbers
A pioneering study led by the University of Oxford in collaboration with international partners has applied AI for the first time to count the Great Wildebeest Migration from satellite images.
NASA to Share Details of New Perseverance Mars Rover Finding
A news conference this morning will focus on the analysis of a rock sampled by the agency’s Perseverance Mars rover last year, which is the subject of a forthcoming science paper.
New Project Aims to Unlock Next Generation Cathode Materials for Tomorrow’s Batteries
The University of Oxford is to lead a new £3 million project to develop novel cathode materials for future lithium-ion batteries.