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Ancient fish with human-like hearing stuns scientists

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093434.htm

Published: November 3, 2025 23:54

Long ago, some saltwater fish adapted to freshwater — and in doing so, developed an extraordinary sense of hearing rivaling our own. By examining a 67-million-year-old fossil, researchers from UC Berkeley discovered that these “otophysan” fish didn’t…

Scientists in Japan create a new wine grape with a wild twist

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093014.htm

Published: November 3, 2025 22:25

Okayama scientists have crafted a new wine grape, Muscat Shiragai, merging the wild Shiraga and Muscat of Alexandria. The variety is part of a larger collaboration between academia, industry, and local government to boost regional identity through wine.…

Killer whales perfect a ruthless trick to hunt great white sharks

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093007.htm

Published: November 3, 2025 10:30

In the Gulf of California, a pod of orcas known as Moctezuma’s pod has developed a chillingly precise technique for hunting young great white sharks — flipping them upside down to paralyze and extract their nutrient-rich livers. The behavior, filmed and…

Scientists teach bacteria the octopus’s secret to camouflage

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093001.htm

Published: November 3, 2025 10:18

Researchers at UC San Diego have figured out how to get bacteria to produce xanthommatin, the pigment that lets octopuses and squids camouflage. By linking the pigment’s production to bacterial survival, they created a self-sustaining system that boosts…

Scientists discover the nutrient that supercharges cellular energy

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205014.htm

Published: November 3, 2025 09:26

Scientists uncovered how the amino acid leucine enhances mitochondrial efficiency by preserving crucial proteins that drive energy production. By downregulating the protein SEL1L, leucine prevents unnecessary degradation and strengthens the cell’s power…

Ancient viruses hidden inside bacteria could help defeat modern infections

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205009.htm

Published: November 3, 2025 09:05

Penn State scientists uncovered an ancient bacterial defense where dormant viral DNA helps bacteria fight new viral threats. The enzyme PinQ flips bacterial genes to create protective proteins that block infection. Understanding this mechanism could lead…

Bamboo tissue paper may not be as eco-friendly as you think

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205017.htm

Published: November 3, 2025 08:33

Bamboo tissue paper, often marketed as an eco-friendly alternative, may not be as green as consumers think. Researchers at NC State University found that while bamboo fibers themselves are not more polluting than wood, China’s coal-dependent energy grid…

Scientists predict a wetter, greener future for the Sahara Desert

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205025.htm

Published: November 3, 2025 04:22

UIC researchers predict that the Sahara Desert could see up to 75% more rain by the end of this century due to rising global temperatures. Using 40 climate models, the team found widespread precipitation increases across Africa, though some regions may dry…

Astronomers capture a violent super-eruption from a young sun

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205023.htm

Published: November 3, 2025 04:09

Astronomers observed a massive, multi-temperature plasma eruption from a young Sun-like star, revealing how early solar explosions could shape planets. These fierce events may have influenced the atmosphere and life-forming chemistry of the early Earth.

Scientists stunned as island spider loses half its genome

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205006.htm

Published: November 2, 2025 21:48

On the Canary Islands, scientists discovered that the spider Dysdera tilosensis has halved its genome size in just a few million years—defying traditional evolutionary theories that predict larger, more repetitive genomes in island species. This unexpected…

A “scary” new spider species found beneath California’s beaches

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205001.htm

Published: November 2, 2025 21:28

UC Davis scientists uncovered Aptostichus ramirezae, a new trapdoor spider species living under California’s dunes. Genetic analysis revealed it was distinct from its close relative, Aptostichus simus. The species was named after pioneering arachnologist…

Scientists discover 14 strange new species hidden in the deep sea

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102011213.htm

Published: November 2, 2025 21:12

Scientists are revolutionizing how new marine species are described through the Ocean Species Discoveries initiative. Using advanced lab techniques, researchers recently unveiled 14 new species from ocean depths exceeding 6,000 meters. Their findings…

A warming Earth could accidentally trigger a deep freeze

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102011216.htm

Published: November 2, 2025 05:02

Earth’s climate balance isn’t just governed by the slow weathering of silicate rocks, which capture carbon and stabilize temperature over eons. New research reveals that biological and oceanic feedback loops—especially involving algae, phosphorus, and…

Scientists uncover what delayed Earth’s oxygen boom for a billion years

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102011144.htm

Published: November 2, 2025 03:50

Researchers uncovered that trace compounds like nickel and urea may have delayed Earth’s oxygenation for millions of years. Experiments mimicking early Earth revealed how their concentrations controlled cyanobacterial growth, dictating when oxygen began to…

A prehistoric battle just rewrote T. rex’s story

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102011141.htm

Published: November 2, 2025 03:26

The debate over Nanotyrannus’ identity is finally over. A remarkably preserved fossil proves it was a mature species, not a teenage T. rex. This discovery rewrites how scientists understand tyrannosaur evolution and Cretaceous predator diversity. For the…

After 25 years, scientists solve the bird-eating bat mystery

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000404.htm

Published: November 2, 2025 01:06

After decades of mystery, scientists have finally proven that Europe’s largest bat, the greater noctule, hunts and eats small songbirds mid-air—more than a kilometer above ground. Using tiny biologgers strapped to bats, researchers recorded astonishing…

A new microscopy breakthrough is revealing the oceans’ invisible life

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000359.htm

Published: November 2, 2025 00:57

A pandemic-era breakthrough has allowed scientists to literally expand our view of plankton. By using ultrastructure expansion microscopy, researchers visualized the inner workings of hundreds of marine species for the first time. The effort, tied to the…

Soil microbes remember drought and help plants survive

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000348.htm

Published: November 2, 2025 00:47

Researchers discovered that soil microbes in Kansas carry drought “memories” that affect how plants grow and survive. Native plants showed stronger responses to these microbial legacies than crops like corn, hinting at co-evolution over time. Genetic…

2 million-year-old teeth reveal secrets from the dawn of humanity

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000412.htm

Published: November 1, 2025 05:21

For decades, Paranthropus robustus has intrigued scientists as a powerful, big-jawed cousin of early humans. Now, thanks to ancient protein analysis, researchers have cracked open new secrets hidden in 2-million-year-old tooth enamel. These proteins…

Japan’s new “samurai jellyfish” is simply stunning

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000342.htm

Published: November 1, 2025 04:30

Scientists in Japan have discovered Physalia mikazuki, a previously unknown species of Portuguese man-of-war, in northern waters for the first time. DNA and anatomical analysis confirmed it as distinct from tropical relatives. Ocean simulations suggest…

This tiny bat hunts like a lion, but better

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000353.htm

Published: November 1, 2025 02:10

Fringe-lipped bats from Panama hunt like miniature lions, using a “hang-and-wait” strategy to capture large, energy-rich prey. High-tech biologging revealed they spend most of their time conserving energy and strike with remarkable accuracy. With success…

Scientists find “living fossil” fish hidden in museums for 150 years

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027224852.htm

Published: October 31, 2025 11:20

Researchers have uncovered dozens of long-misidentified coelacanth fossils in British museums, some overlooked for more than a century. The study reveals that these ancient “living fossils” thrived in tropical seas during the Triassic Period, around 200…

Those Halloween fireballs might be more dangerous than you think

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251030075121.htm

Published: October 31, 2025 02:18

The Taurid meteor shower, born from Comet Encke, delights skywatchers but may conceal hidden risks. Research led by Mark Boslough examines potential Taurid swarms that could increase impact danger in 2032 and 2036. Using planetary defense modeling and…

Scientists shocked by reversed electric field around Earth

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251030075141.htm

Published: October 31, 2025 01:12

Earth’s magnetosphere, once thought to have a simple electric polarity pattern, has revealed a surprising twist. New satellite data and advanced simulations show that the morning side of the magnetosphere carries a negative charge, not positive as long…

Your pumpkin might be hiding a toxic secret

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251030075117.htm

Published: October 30, 2025 09:09

Researchers in Japan have revealed how some gourds draw pollutants into their fruits. The secret lies in a protein that carries contaminants through the plant sap. By manipulating this protein’s structure, scientists hope to breed crops that resist…

It sounds creepy, but these scientific breakthroughs could save lives

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251030075112.htm

Published: October 30, 2025 08:51

From mini-brains to spider-inspired gloves and wolf apple coatings, scientists are turning eerie-sounding experiments into real innovations that could revolutionize health and sustainability. Lab-grown brain organoids may replace animal testing,…

Scientists discover a stunning new golden-tongued lizard in China

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251029100158.htm

Published: October 30, 2025 06:22

A new species of mountain lizard, Diploderma bifluviale, has been discovered in the upper Dadu River Valley of China. Its distinct traits and isolated habitat highlight the hidden biodiversity of the Hengduan Mountains.

Humans evolved faster than any other ape

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251029100152.htm

Published: October 29, 2025 11:55

UCL scientists found that human skulls evolved much faster than those of other apes, reflecting the powerful forces driving our brain growth and facial flattening. By comparing 3D models of ape skulls, they showed that humans changed about twice as much as…

Earth has hit its first climate tipping point, scientists warn

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251029002920.htm

Published: October 29, 2025 04:26

Global scientists warn that humanity is on the verge of crossing irreversible climate thresholds, with coral reefs already at their tipping point and polar ice sheets possibly beyond recovery. The Global Tipping Points Report 2025 reveals how rising…

Scientists just found out how corals rebuild themselves on the reef

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251029002851.htm

Published: October 29, 2025 04:08

Researchers at QUT uncovered how corals reattach to reefs through a three-phase process involving tissue transformation, anchoring, and skeleton formation. Differences among species reveal why some corals grow and attach faster than others. Intriguingly,…

Antarctic robot ‘Lassie’ uncovers thousands of icefish nests beneath Antarctic ice

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251029002847.htm

Published: October 29, 2025 03:45

Beneath the ice of Antarctica’s Weddell Sea, scientists discovered a vast, organized city of fish nests revealed after the colossal A68 iceberg broke away. Using robotic explorers, they found over a thousand circular nests forming geometric patterns, each…

Why women live longer than men, explained by evolution

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027225628.htm

Published: October 28, 2025 13:39

An international team of researchers led by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, working with 15 collaborators around the world, has conducted the most comprehensive study yet of lifespan differences between…

Before plants or animals, fungi conquered Earth’s surface

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027224841.htm

Published: October 28, 2025 12:11

Fungi’s evolutionary roots stretch far deeper than once believed — up to 1.4 billion years ago, long before plants or animals appeared. Using advanced molecular dating and gene transfer analysis, researchers reconstructed fungi’s ancient lineage, revealing…

Earth’s “boring billion” set the stage for complex life

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027224824.htm

Published: October 28, 2025 01:52

Scientists have traced the origins of complex life to the breakup of the supercontinent Nuna 1.5 billion years ago. This tectonic shift reduced volcanic carbon emissions, expanded shallow seas, and boosted oxygen availability. Far from a stagnant era,…