Science

Paleontologists in China have uncovered the skeletal remains of a new genus and species of sauropod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period, Tongnanlong zhimingi. This massive dinosaur, which lived approximately 147 million years ago, roamed the area now known as southwestern China. Measuring between 23 to 28 meters in length, Tongnanlong zhimingi was one of the largest sauropods to have …

Astronomers have discovered over a dozen “dormant” galaxies that paused their star formation within the first billion years after the Big Bang. The discovery, made with data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), illuminates a fascinating phase in the lives of early galaxies and could provide more clues about how galaxies evolve. There are several reasons why galaxies may …

Scientists invented a pocket-sized model of the most common form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The “disease-on-a-chip,” made using stem cells, could pave the way for new treatments for the progressive condition, the researchers say. In ALS, the brain and spinal-cord cells that control voluntary muscle movements — known as motor neurons — break down and die. As a result, …

Building a spacecraft could one day be as simple as folding a piece of paper into a plane and letting aerodynamics do the rest. A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo simulated the release of a paper airplane from the International Space Station (ISS) to see if would survive atmospheric reentry. In a paper published in Acta Astronautica, …

Cyril Dupuy, the founder of smart telescope maker Vaonis, has set a new record by capturing Europe’s highest-altitude image of the sun with one of the company’s telescopes during an expedition to scale Mont Blanc earlier this year. VESPERA SMART TELESCOPE (Image credit: Amazon) Wanting to see sunspots or far away galaxies? The Vaonis Vespera is a smart telescope for …

Geologists recently unveiled groundbreaking seismic evidence of massive, ancient “fortresses” located nearly 1,800 miles below the Earth’s surface, in the mantle. These colossal structures are not only older and tougher than the surrounding rock, but they have reshaped our understanding of the planet’s interior. Their discovery was made possible through innovative seismic techniques, and the findings have been published in …

The ground may feel steady underfoot, but the planet is always in motion. While satellites and sensors have mapped the surface in fine detail, what lies beneath remains largely unknown. The crust, a shell only 35 kilometers thick, is the farthest any probe has reached. To explore the deep interior—where the mantle and core reside—scientists must depend on indirect tools …

Three different meteor showers are happening at the same time this month, giving skywatchers plenty of chances to spend their summer nights looking for shooting stars. The annual alpha Capricornids, the Southern delta Aquariids and the Perseid meteor showers are all currently active, with each celestial show set to last through mid-August. Here’s what to know about these meteor showers, …

Recent shifts in Earth’s magnetic field have human fingerprints all over them. While it is normal for our planet’s magnetic poles to sporadically wander, new research shows we’ve now amassed enough water behind dam walls to account for at least some of the current movements. Harvard University geophysicist Natasha Valencic and colleagues calculated that the masses concentrated in just under …

In a significant leap for agricultural science, Chinese researchers have unveiled a new variety of rice that could dramatically change the way we approach global food production. This newly developed rice is not just any crop—it’s a game-changer, engineered to thrive on land that was previously thought to be unusable. In fact, the new strain holds the promise of growing …