A collaboration between Brazilian and German researchers has led to a sunflower-based meat substitute that’s high in protein and minerals. The new ingredient, made from refined sunflower flour, delivers excellent nutritional value and a mild flavor. Tests showed strong texture and healthy fat content, suggesting great potential for use in...
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Ancient fish with human-like hearing stuns scientists
Long ago, some saltwater fish adapted to freshwater — and in doing so, developed an extraordinary sense of hearing rivaling our own. By examining a 67-million-year-old fossil, researchers from UC Berkeley discovered that these “otophysan” fish didn’t evolve their sensitive Weberian ear system in rivers, as long thought, but rather...
Scientists in Japan create a new wine grape with a wild twist
Okayama scientists have crafted a new wine grape, Muscat Shiragai, merging the wild Shiraga and Muscat of Alexandria. The variety is part of a larger collaboration between academia, industry, and local government to boost regional identity through wine. Early tastings revealed a sweet, smooth flavor, and wider cultivation is planned.
Unprecedented Decline in Marine Viruses in the Western Mediterranean Linked to Climate Change Revealed
A team led by the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) has described a sustained and unprecedented decrease in the abundance of marine viruses in the northwestern Mediterranean over the last two decades.
Carbon Cycle Can Plunge Earth Into an Ice Age
Until now, the slow weathering of silicate rocks has been considered as the main factor in climate regulation.
Rain in the Sahara? UIC Researchers Predict a Wetter Future for the Desert
The Sahara Desert is one of the driest areas in the world.
Killer whales perfect a ruthless trick to hunt great white sharks
In the Gulf of California, a pod of orcas known as Moctezuma’s pod has developed a chillingly precise technique for hunting young great white sharks — flipping them upside down to paralyze and extract their nutrient-rich livers. The behavior, filmed and documented by marine biologists, reveals a level of intelligence...
Scientists teach bacteria the octopus’s secret to camouflage
Researchers at UC San Diego have figured out how to get bacteria to produce xanthommatin, the pigment that lets octopuses and squids camouflage. By linking the pigment’s production to bacterial survival, they created a self-sustaining system that boosts yields dramatically. This biotechnological leap could revolutionize materials science, cosmetics, and sustainable...
Scientists predict a wetter, greener future for the Sahara Desert
UIC researchers predict that the Sahara Desert could see up to 75% more rain by the end of this century due to rising global temperatures. Using 40 climate models, the team found widespread precipitation increases across Africa, though some regions may dry out. The results suggest a major rebalancing of...
Astronomers capture a violent super-eruption from a young sun
Astronomers observed a massive, multi-temperature plasma eruption from a young Sun-like star, revealing how early solar explosions could shape planets. These fierce events may have influenced the atmosphere and life-forming chemistry of the early Earth.