Archaeologists in Saudi Arabia discovered over 170 ancient rock engravings that may be among the earliest monumental artworks in the region. Created between 12,800 and 11,400 years ago, the massive figures were carved when water and life returned to the desert. The art likely marked territories and migration routes, revealing...
Climate Change May Increase the Spread of Neurotoxin in the Oceans
Climate-driven oxygen loss in the Black Sea thousands of years ago triggered the expansion of microorganisms capable of producing the potent neurotoxin methylmercury.
To Prevent Rapid Sea-Level Rise, Reduce Emissions Now
The timing of emissions reductions, even more so than the rate of reduction, will be key to avoiding catastrophic thresholds for ice-melt and sea-level rise, according to a new Cornell study.
Parched Soils Can Spark Hot Drought a Nation Away
A new study found compound drought-heatwave events are rippling farther and lasting through the night, raising risks for southwestern North America.
Scientists unlock nature’s secret to a cancer-fighting molecule
Researchers have cracked the code behind how plants make mitraphylline, a rare cancer-fighting molecule. Their discovery of two critical enzymes explains how nature builds complex spiro-shaped compounds. The work paves the way for sustainable, lab-based production of valuable natural medicines. Supported by international collaborations, the findings spotlight plants as powerful...
Thousands fall ill as mosquito fever explodes across southern China
China’s Guangdong Province is battling its worst-ever chikungunya outbreak, with thousands of infections spreading across major cities and nearby regions. Transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, the disease underscores how climate change, urbanization, and global travel are fueling mosquito-borne threats.
They’re smaller than dust, but crucial for Earth’s climate
Coccolithophores, tiny planktonic architects of Earth’s climate, capture carbon, produce oxygen, and leave behind geological records that chronicle our planet’s history. European scientists are uniting to honor them with International Coccolithophore Day on October 10. Their global collaboration highlights groundbreaking research into how these microscopic organisms link ocean chemistry, climate...
Can Solar Farms Become Future Refuges for Bumblebees?
Solar farms could become important refuges for bumblebees in Britain, a new study reveals - though their benefits only go so far.
Tracking Microplastics From Sea to Body
On the edge of California’s Monterey Bay, ecologist Matthew Savoca and a team of volunteers sift through sand and seawater for microplastics, one of the planet’s most pervasive forms of pollution.
Glowing shark and hidden crab found deep off Australia
In a stunning glimpse into the mysteries of the deep, scientists have uncovered two new marine species off Western Australia—a glowing lanternshark and a tiny porcelain crab. The discoveries, made from specimens collected during a 2022 CSIRO research voyage, highlight both the dazzling adaptations of life in the deep sea...