Science
Scientific discoveries and research
Climate change may complicate avalanche risk across the Pacific Northwest
This winter was one of the warmest on record across the West. As a result, many snowy, alpine areas have seen bouts of winter rainfall where there would ordinar...
Wildflower folk remedy shows modern potential for tackling antibiotic resistance
Scientists have proven that a wildflower steeped in folklore for its medicinal powers has genuine healing qualities—and the potential to help combat antibiotic...
Unlocking longevity insights from ancient bristlecone pine
What can the world's longest living individual teach us about longevity? A team of scientists coordinated by the University of California, Davis, sequenced the...
Precision of the food-directional 'waggle dance' fluctuates with audience size and who's in attendance, study reveals
In recent years, scientists have carefully deciphered details of the honey bee "waggle dance," which is an advanced form of social communication in the animal k...
Nanoplastics become more harmful after being outdoors, study finds
When cutlery, insulation, packaging and other items made of polystyrene plastic break down, they can form nanoplastics up to 100 times thinner than the average...
Green clay courts serve up environmental solutions by absorbing carbon dioxide
Green clay tennis courts are able to absorb massive amounts of carbon dioxide via enhanced rock weathering, according to a new study in Applied Geochemistry. En...
The 'silent takeover': Invasive bees are reshaping Chile's unique pollination networks
Biological invasions are a major driver of biodiversity loss and invasive pollinators can reshape native plant-pollinator networks. A new study published in the...
Study explores 'antifragility' in nature, where some species benefit from extreme swings
From deadly heat waves to unprecedented flooding, devastating wildfires to record-breaking droughts, extreme weather is becoming the new normal. As climate-fuel...
Discovery of genetic switch could help turn rice into a perennial crop
Rice is a vital crop that feeds more than half of the world's population. In the wild, many rice species are perennials that live for several years, but the var...
The 'private solution trap': Why richer countries may favor adaptation over public solutions, and who pays
A new study, led by the University of Nottingham and conducted by a team of 72 economists and psychologists across the world, has identified a potential "privat...
A safer, nonflammable battery electrolyte exists, but self-assembly flaw is holding it back
Many important technologies, from handheld phones to medical devices and transportation vehicles, rely on rechargeable batteries. Modern top-of-the-line recharg...
Python scales host microstructures that block bacterial biofilms—revealing potential for antimicrobial materials
Materials inspired by nature, or biomimetic materials, are nothing new. Scientists have designed water-resistant materials inspired by lotus leaves and rose pet...