A laser-equipped research platform has, for the first time, photographed airflow just millimeters above ocean waves, revealing two simultaneous wind–wave energy-transfer tricks—slow short waves steal power from the breeze, while long giants sculpt the air in reverse. These crisp observations promise to overhaul climate and weather models by clarifying how...
Bigger crops, fewer nutrients: The hidden cost of climate change
Climate change is silently sapping the nutrients from our food. A pioneering study finds that rising CO2 and higher temperatures are not only reshaping how crops grow but are also degrading their nutritional value—especially in vital leafy greens like kale and spinach. This shift could spell trouble for global health,...
Thick Electrodes’ Chemistry Matters More Than Structure for Battery Performance
Thicker battery electrodes pack in more active materials, promising higher energy density.
Underestimated Sources of Marine Pollution
A study published in Nature reveals for the first time the extent to which nanoplastic pollutes the North Atlantic.
The Right Mix and Planting Pattern of Trees Enhance Forest Productivity and Services
A new paper published in Nature Communications reveals how the way tree species are arranged in a forest can help optimise ecosystem functioning and productivity.
MIT scientists just supercharged the enzyme that powers all plant life
Scientists at MIT have turbocharged one of nature’s most sluggish but essential enzymes—rubisco—by applying a cutting-edge evolution technique in living cells. Normally prone to wasteful reactions with oxygen, this revamped bacterial rubisco evolved to work more efficiently in oxygen-rich environments. This leap in enzyme performance could pave the way for...
Hovering fish burn twice the energy—study shocks scientists
Hovering fish aren’t loafing—they burn twice resting energy to make micro-fin tweaks that counteract a natural tendency to tip, and body shape dictates just how costly the pause is. The discovery flips a long-held assumption about effortless neutral buoyancy and offers fresh blueprints for agile, instability-embracing underwater robots.
North america’s oldest pterosaur unearthed in Arizona’s Triassic time capsule
In the remote reaches of Arizona s Petrified Forest National Park, scientists have unearthed North America's oldest known pterosaur a small, gull-sized flier that once soared above Triassic ecosystems. This exciting find, alongside ancient turtles and armored amphibians, sheds light on a key moment in Earth's history when older animal...
How Plants Build the Microbiome They Need to Survive in a Tough Environment
New research from Northern Arizona University points to the idea that under some conditions, plants can “curate” their microbiomes—selecting good microbes and suppressing harmful ones—to adapt to their environments.
Trees and Hedges on Farmland Significantly Boost Butterfly Numbers, Study Finds
The study, carried out by the University of Oxford and national charity Butterfly Conservation, funded by The Woodland Trust, comes at a critical time for butterfly species.