Sea ice coverage in the Arctic Ocean is at one of its lowest levels on record, yet there’s no unanimity on when that ice will disappear completely during summer months.
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How this odd-looking animal outsmarted aging
Naked mole-rats seem to have found nature’s cheat code for longevity. Scientists discovered that small tweaks in one of their proteins make it better at fixing DNA damage, helping the animals resist aging. Even fruit flies with the same changes lived longer, hinting at a universal way life can extend...
Glowing sugars show how microbes eat the ocean’s carbon
Researchers have developed a light-emitting sugar probe that exposes how marine microbes break down complex carbohydrates. The innovative fluorescent tool allows scientists to visualize when and where sugars are degraded in the ocean. This breakthrough helps map microbial activity and carbon cycling, providing new clues about how the ocean stores...
A clue to ancient life? What scientists found inside Mars’ frozen vortex
Mars’ north polar vortex locks its atmosphere in extreme cold and darkness, freezing out water vapor and triggering a dramatic rise in ozone. Scientists found that the lack of sunlight and moisture lets ozone build up unchecked. This discovery, made with data from ESA’s and NASA’s orbiters, could reveal clues...
A hidden gene could triple wheat yields
Researchers discovered the gene that gives a rare wheat variety its unusual “triple-grain” trait. When switched on, the gene helps wheat flowers produce extra grain-bearing parts. The finding could allow scientists to grow new, high-yield crops to meet global food demand. It’s a simple genetic change with world-changing potential.
Scientists finally read the hidden DNA code that shapes disease
EMBL researchers created SDR-seq, a next-generation tool that decodes both DNA and RNA from the same cell. It finally opens access to non-coding regions, where most disease-associated genetic variants lie. By revealing how these variants affect gene activity, scientists can better understand complex diseases and develop improved diagnostic tools.
Research Shows How Dust Bowl-Type Drought Causes Unprecedented Productivity Loss
A global research effort led by Colorado State University shows that extreme, prolonged drought conditions in grasslands and shrublands would greatly limit the long-term health of crucial ecosystems that cover nearly half the planet.
The Southern Ocean’s Low-Salinity Water Locked Away CO2 for Decades, But
An AWI study gives a potential explanation as to why the ocean around Antarctica is defying climate model projections and continuing to absorb CO2, despite the effects of climate change.
Road Noise Can Actually Make Squirrels Feel Safer, New Study Finds
Human disturbance has a significant impact on the behaviour and habitat use of urban wildlife, however, in some situations urban grey squirrels may actually feel safer from predators where our activity is high.
MIT finds traces of a lost world deep within planet Earth
Researchers have discovered chemical fingerprints of Earth's earliest incarnation, preserved in ancient mantle rocks. A unique imbalance in potassium isotopes points to remnants of “proto Earth” material that survived the planet’s violent formation. The study suggests the original building blocks of Earth remain hidden beneath its surface, offering a direct...