Researchers have solved a decades-old mystery by showing that a cache of 43 helmets found off the Spanish coast is medieval, not Roman. The remarkable discovery exposes a thriving weapons trade network that connected Mediterranean powers during a time of piracy, warfare, and growing demand for military equipment.
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Scientists sound the alarm as dangerous amoebas spread globally
Scientists warn that free-living amoebae may be an underappreciated public health threat, capable of causing deadly infections and shielding other dangerous microbes from water treatment. Climate change and aging infrastructure could help these resilient organisms spread more widely in the years ahead.
Giant fire tornadoes could clean up oil spills faster with less pollution
Researchers have shown that controlled fire whirls can clean up oil spills faster and more cleanly than traditional burning methods. The spinning flames consumed up to 95% of the oil, cut soot emissions by 40%, and could help prevent spills from reaching sensitive marine habitats.
Octopuses use mirrors to find food they cannot see
Octopuses may be even smarter than we thought. Researchers at Dartmouth found that octopuses can learn to use mirrors to locate food hidden behind them—a skill previously seen only in vertebrates like mammals and birds. After training, the animals correctly identified the food’s location about 73% of the time, showing...
Scientists are seriously asking if bees and ChatGPT are conscious
New studies suggest consciousness can't be judged solely by behavior, whether it's a chatbot discussing philosophy or a bee searching for nectar. Researchers are increasingly focusing on the internal mechanisms of brains and computers, concluding that today's AI is likely not conscious while leaving open the possibility for both conscious...
NOAA Research Offers Roadmap to Improve West Nile Forecasting and Prevention
A new technique based on weather data is the first to successfully predict caseloads.
Giant Fan-Shaped Geological Structure Discovered Beneath East Antarctica
An international team of researchers including our Department of Geography has discovered a vast geological structure hidden beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet.
Wearable Polygraph Detects Hidden Stress
The body can notice stress before the conscious brain — and that’s no lie.
Goethe never knew this 40-million-year-old ant was hidden in his collection
Scientists examining amber from Goethe’s personal collection discovered three hidden fossil insects, including an extinct ant preserved in extraordinary detail. Advanced 3D imaging allowed researchers to see not only the ant’s outer features but also structures inside its body. The findings offer new clues about the species’ biology and suggest...
Scientists discover vast hidden structure beneath Antarctica’s ice
A giant fan-shaped network of hidden basins has been discovered beneath East Antarctica, revealing that several well-known subglacial features are actually part of one massive geological structure. The finding sheds new light on Antarctica’s ancient tectonic history and could help scientists better understand how the ice sheet behaves today.