A new radiocarbon study has clarified the timing of the colossal Thera eruption, placing it before Egypt’s New Kingdom. Researchers analyzed artifacts tied to Pharaoh Ahmose, gaining rare access to museum materials. Their results favor a younger chronology for early 18th Dynasty Egypt. The revised timeline reshapes regional historical connections.
A massive Bronze Age city hidden for 3,500 years just surfaced
An immense Bronze Age settlement has emerged from the Kazakh Steppe, revealing a surprisingly urban and industrial society where archaeologists once expected nomadic camps. At Semiyarka, researchers uncovered massive residential compounds, a possible ceremonial or administrative building, and an entire industrial zone dedicated to producing tin bronze—an extremely rare discovery...
A mysterious black snake hidden for centuries is now named for Steve Irwin
Researchers have uncovered a new species of wolf snake on Great Nicobar Island and named it Lycodon irwini in tribute to Steve Irwin. The glossy black, non-venomous snake grows up to a meter and appears confined to a small area. Scientists warn its limited habitat makes it vulnerable. The find...
Earth’s early oceans hid the secret rise of complex life
Scientists have discovered that complex life began evolving much earlier than traditional models suggested. Using an expanded molecular clock approach, the team showed that crucial cellular features emerged in ancient anoxic oceans long before oxygen became a major part of Earth’s atmosphere. Their results indicate that early complexity developed slowly...
New Study Finds That Drones Can be a Valuable Ally in Elephant Conservation
Once seen as a source of alarm, drones (or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, UAVs) are now proving to be surprisingly elephant-friendly and a valuable research tool.
Distance From Natural Habitat Doesn’t Reduce Pollination in Tropical Smallholder Farms
Being close to a natural habitat such as a forest doesn’t necessarily make farmland more attractive to pollinators, a new study shows.
Penguins ‘Starved to Death En Masse’ as Food Supply Collapsed
Penguins living off the coast of South Africa have likely starved to death en masse during their moulting season as a result of collapsing food supplies.
UAlbany Atmospheric Scientist Proposes Innovative Method to Reduce Aviation’s Climate Impact
If you look up at the sky on a clear day, chances are you’ll notice thin, white clouds following behind airplanes— also known as contrails.
Climate-Friendly Metals From Deep-Sea Ores
If manganese nodules can be mined in an environmentally friendly way, the critical metals needed for the energy transition could be produced with low CO2 emissions.
CSU Researchers Find Promising Adaptations to Climate Change in Tropical Forests
As tropical forests experience chronic drying and more extreme droughts due to climate change, some plants are adapting by growing longer root systems to reach water deep within soils, according to a study published in November in New Phytologist.