2026

Image Credit: (Representational Image: iStock) Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring gas, abundant in quantity but its chemical stability makes it difficult to convert into useful materials. Since the 1960s, scientists have been attempting to transform carbon into polymers, which require specific catalysts to overcome the energy barriers. Some success was achieved in creating various…

The skull and brain case of a newfound ancient snake species were still intact. Image Credit: Agustin Martinelli/ScienceNews Snakes represent one of the most successful groups of vertebrates on Earth, with over 4,200 living species accounting for one-third of all scaled reptiles. Despite a long history going back to at least the Middle Jurassic, the…

Marie Curie’s profound observation underscores the power of understanding as a tool to conquer life’s fears. She posited that knowledge serves as a buffer against uncertainty, fostering self-assurance. As a trailblazing scientist, she unearthed polonium and radium, earning Nobel Prizes for her remarkable contributions to physics and chemistry. Her enduring message of curiosity and the…

In Colombia, the hippos originally imported by Pablo Escobar have become an ecological menace. Initially introduced for his private zoo, their population has surged to over eighty, wreaking havoc on local waterways. Their excrement disrupts the delicate balance of river ecology, depleting oxygen levels and triggering harmful algal blooms. Addressing this invasive species poses significant…

Along with Russia, the United States possesses nearly 90% of all nuclear weapons on Earth. The country has over 5,044 total warheads and is known to have the most balanced and heavily maintained strategic triad delivery systems. While it has no need to amp up on developing more nuclear weapons, it needs to urgently clear…

The introduction of agriculture, around 11,500 years ago in the Middle East was a milestone for humankind. For decades, the image of the prehistoric hunter-gatherer has been remarkably consistent: hunters skilled in living off mainly meat, with plants as occasional supplements. It’s an image deeply embedded in popular culture, in documentaries and even in modern…

Green roofs offer a solution to urban heat by absorbing sunlight and releasing water. Vegetation shades surfaces and evapotranspiration naturally cools surrounding areas. These living roofs also manage rainwater and provide habitats for urban wildlife. Extensive and intensive systems cater to different building needs and budgets. Cities worldwide are adopting green roofs to combat rising…

Keeping buildings cool has become an increasingly difficult challenge as temperatures rise and air conditioning demand continues to grow. While cooling systems provide comfort, they also consume large amounts of electricity, adding to energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. That has encouraged scientists to look for alternatives that work with nature rather than against it….

For much of the twentieth century, the deepest parts of the oceans remained among the least understood places on Earth. Ships crossed vast stretches of water every day, yet almost nobody knew what lay beneath them beyond scattered depth measurements collected for navigation. The seabed was often imagined as a broad, featureless plain interrupted only…

Industrial plants release vast amounts of carbon dioxide every day, yet much of the conversation around cutting those emissions has focused on capturing the gas and storing it underground. Turning it into something useful has always been a more attractive idea, but one that has struggled outside laboratory conditions. Factory exhaust is not made up…