Fresh evidence suggests early Earth wasn’t locked under a rigid stagnant lid but was already experiencing intense subduction. Ancient melt inclusions and advanced simulations point to continents forming far earlier than expected. The findings overturn long-held assumptions about the planet’s infancy and reveal a surprisingly active Hadean world.
New data reveals one of the smallest ozone holes in decades
This year’s ozone hole over Antarctica ranked among the smallest since the early 1990s, reflecting steady progress from decades of global action under the Montreal Protocol. Declining chlorine levels and warmer stratospheric temperatures helped limit ozone destruction. Scientists say the layer remains on track to recover later this century.
Hornet-eating frog shows remarkable venom resistance
Experiments reveal that pond frogs can eat highly venomous hornets without suffering noticeable damage, even after repeated stings. Most frogs successfully consumed hornets, including the notorious Asian giant hornet. This unusual resilience suggests that frogs may have evolved mechanisms to block the effects of venom. Their resistance could help scientists...
Scientists capture flu viruses surfing into human cells in real time
Scientists have captured a never-before-seen, high-resolution look at influenza’s stealthy invasion of human cells, revealing that the cells aren’t just helpless victims. Using a groundbreaking imaging technique, researchers discovered that our cells actually reach out and “grab” the virus as it searches for the perfect entry point, surfing along the...
A Cleaner, Less Toxic Way of Making a Staple Chemical
Cornell scientists have discovered a potentially transformative approach to manufacturing one of the world’s most widely used chemicals – hydrogen peroxide – using nothing more than sunlight, water and air.
Flood Risks in Delta Cities Are Increasing, Study Finds
New research shows how the combination of extreme climate events, sea-level rise and land subsidence could create larger and deeper floods in coastal cities in future.
New Inflammation Test May Keep Cows Healthy, Farms Productive
As a veterinarian, Dr. Sabine Mann, Ph.D. ’16, had frequently wished for a simple, accurate, affordable test that could assess inflammation in dairy cow herds.
Doomed ants send a final scent to save their colony
Ant pupae that are fatally sick don’t hide their condition; instead, they release a special scent that warns the rest of the colony. This signal prompts worker ants to open the pupae’s cocoons and disinfect them with formic acid, stopping the infection before it can spread. Although the treatment kills...
Early Earth’s sky may have created the first ingredients for life
Researchers recreated conditions from billions of years ago and found that Earth’s young atmosphere could make key molecules linked to life. These sulfur-rich compounds, including certain amino acids, may have formed naturally in the sky. The results suggest early Earth wasn’t starting from zero but may have already been stocked...
Bacterial Villain Behind Lake Erie’s ‘Potent Toxin’ Unveiled by U-M Study
In the warm summertime waters of Lake Erie, cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, can proliferate out of control, creating algal blooms that produce toxins at a rate that can harm wildlife and human health.