Over 300 million years ago, Illinois teemed with life in tropical swamps and seas, now preserved at the famous Mazon Creek fossil site. Researchers from the University of Missouri and geologist Gordon Baird have reexamined a vast fossil collection, uncovering three distinct ancient environments—freshwater, transitional marine, and offshore—each with unique...
A 16-million-year-old amber fossil just revealed the smallest predator ant ever found
A fossilized Caribbean dirt ant, Basiceros enana, preserved in Dominican amber, reveals the species ancient range and overturns assumptions about its size evolution. Advanced imaging shows it already had the camouflage adaptations of modern relatives, offering new insights into extinction and survival strategies.
Stunning “wonder reptile” discovery rewrites the origins of feathers
The newly described Mirasaura grauvogeli from the Middle Triassic had a striking feather-like crest, hinting that complex skin appendages arose far earlier than previously believed. Its bird-like skull, tree-climbing adaptations, and pigment structures linked to feathers deepen the mystery of reptile evolution.
Scientists reveal Alaska could get up to two minutes’ warning before the next big quake
A new study suggests Alaska could get 10–120 seconds of warning before major quakes, with more seismic stations adding up to 15 extra seconds. Researchers emphasize challenges like harsh winters, remote sites, and alert transmission delays, but say the benefits could be lifesaving.
NASA Supercomputers Take on Life Near Greenland’s Most Active Glacier
As Greenland’s ice retreats, it’s fueling tiny ocean organisms.
Wildfires Are Changing and So Must Our Response
Researchers say wildfires are evolving due to new fuels and the encroachment of urban areas on rural spaces necessitating new approaches to combatting wildfires.
New Research Reveals Ancient Alliance Between Woody Plants and Microbes Has Potential to Protect Precious Peatlands
As the climate warms and regional drying becomes more frequent, peatlands – some of the planet’s most important carbon sinks – are increasingly under threat.
How Joint NASA-ESA Sea Level Mission Will Help Hurricane Forecasts
Sentinel-6B will measure sea surface height for nearly all of the world’s ocean, providing important data for information products, including weather and hurricane forecasts.
Global Hunt for ‘Positive Tipping Points’
Experts are calling for a global effort to identify “positive tipping points” to accelerate the green transition – and have devised a method to find them.
Expert Comment: How Important Are Wind Farms in Achieving Net Zero?
Few energy technologies divide public opinion quite like wind turbines.