The earthquake that rocked Alaska for close to five minutes on March 27, 1964, remains the most powerful earthquake recorded in U.S. history. It registered a magnitude of 9.2 on the Richter scale and generated a tsunami that killed people as far south as California. The earthquake also changed the nature of...
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Are Sewage Spills and Coastal Winds Contributing to Airborne Microplastics?
A combination of sewage overflows and coastal winds could be sending billions of airborne microplastic particles into the world’s coastal towns and cities, a new study suggests.
Teen bats are spawning new viruses—here’s why scientists are paying close attention
New research from the University of Sydney sheds light on how coronaviruses emerge in bat populations, focusing on young bats as hotspots for infections and co-infections that may drive viral evolution. By analyzing thousands of samples over three years, scientists discovered that juvenile bats frequently host multiple coronaviruses simultaneously—offering a...
Beneath the scales: The secret bone armor that helped lizards survive Australia
Scientists have uncovered hidden bony armor—called osteoderms—beneath the skin of 29 goanna species across Australasia, a discovery that radically changes what we thought we knew about lizard evolution. Using museum specimens and advanced scanning, researchers found these structures are far more widespread than previously known, suggesting they may help with...
This oat discovery could change your breakfast—and the future of plant-based food
Scientists in Australia have uncovered the biological triggers behind oil production in oats, a discovery that could revolutionize how oats are processed and marketed. By using advanced imaging and molecular techniques, researchers identified key enzymes that drive oil synthesis in oat grains. This opens the door to developing low-oil oat...
Scientists just solved the mystery of the missing ocean plastic—now we’re all in trouble
Millions of tons of plastic in the ocean aren't floating in plain sight—they're invisible. Scientists have now confirmed that the most abundant form of plastic in the Atlantic is in the form of nanoplastics, smaller than a micrometer. These particles are everywhere: in rain, rivers, and even the air. They...
Scientists just discovered a secret code hidden in your DNA
What scientists once dismissed as junk DNA may actually be some of the most powerful code in our genome. A new international study reveals that ancient viral DNA buried in our genes plays an active role in controlling how other genes are turned on or off, especially during early human...
EV Fast Chargers Are Pollutant Hot Spots
Electric vehicle fast-charging stations are pollutant hot spots, according to a new UCLA study.
Vision Changes on Space Station
When astronauts began spending six months and more aboard the International Space Station, they started to notice changes in their vision.
‘Active Travel’ Study Identifies Pathways for Designing Walking- and Cycling-friendly Cities
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals the transformative potential of walking- and cycling-friendly policies in cities around the world.