Researchers discovered fossil evidence showing that spionid worms, parasites of modern oysters, were already infecting bivalves 480 million years ago. High-resolution scans revealed their distinctive question mark-shaped burrows. The finding highlights a parasitic behavior that has remained unchanged for nearly half a billion years.
Frozen for 6 million years, Antarctic ice rewrites Earth’s climate story
Scientists discovered 6-million-year-old ice in Antarctica, offering the oldest direct record of Earth’s ancient atmosphere and climate. The finding reveals a dramatic cooling trend and promises insights into greenhouse gas changes over millions of years.
Cockroaches are secretly poisoning indoor air
Cockroach infestations don’t just bring creepy crawlers, they fill homes with allergens and bacterial toxins that can trigger asthma and allergies. NC State researchers found that larger infestations meant higher toxin levels, especially from female roaches. When extermination eliminated the pests, both allergens and endotoxins plummeted. The findings highlight how...
As Ochre Sea Star ‘Baby Boomers’ Grow Up, Species Showing Signs of Recovery
The “baby boom” of ochre sea stars that followed a population crash a decade ago is enabling the species to recover on the Oregon Coast, according to new research by scientists at Oregon State University and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Sprayable RNA Pesticide Works Best When Potato Beetles are Small
The first sprayable insecticide made of RNA can target and kill ravenous Colorado potato beetles while sparing most beneficial insects, making it a promising environmentally friendly option.
UW-Led Study Links Wildfire Smoke to Increased Odds of Preterm Birth
About 10% of American babies are born prematurely. Birth before 37 weeks can lead to a cascade of health risks, both immediate and long-term, making prevention a vital tool for improving public health over generations.
How Algae Help Corals Bounce Back After Bleaching
Using advanced technology to understand natural reef resilience, and boost it.
Cul-De-Sac Effect: Why Mediterranean Regions Are Becoming More Prone to Extreme Floods in a Changing Climate
By analyzing the devastating floods that affected Emilia-Romagna, Italy, in 2023 and 2024, a team of researchers from CMCC – the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change – describes for the first time how a particular orographic configuration makes certain regions particularly prone to extreme flooding.
After Distractions, Rotating Brain Waves May Help Thought Circle Back to the Task
To get back on track after a distraction, the cortex appears to employ a rotating traveling wave, a new study by MIT neuroscientists finds.
2.7-million-year-old tools reveal humanity’s first great innovation
Researchers uncovered a 2.75–2.44 million-year-old site in Kenya showing that early humans maintained stone tool traditions for nearly 300,000 years despite extreme climate swings. The tools, remarkably consistent across generations, helped our ancestors adapt and survive. The discovery reshapes our understanding of how early technology anchored human evolution.