Conservationists propose a protected area for Ernest Shackleton's Endurance wreck in the Weddell Sea, fearing climate change and increased shipping may damage the historic site. The proposal passed a key meeting but awaits final approval from CCAMLR.
Scientists have catalogued over 100 new species, including a deep-sea annelid worm named Bathyvermilioides juliebrocka, found on seamounts near Australia's Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The discoveries highlight the rich biodiversity of these remote marine environments and inform conservation efforts.
May's science roundup features a potential prehistoric copper smelting site in the Pyrenees, a new species of tiny blue octopus from the Galapagos, insights into why cats prefer silver vine over catnip, and a study suggesting political polarization behaves like a phase transition.
Thousands of new marine species have been discovered as part of the Ocean Census initiative, a global effort to catalogue ocean life. The project, involving organizations like The Nippon Foundation and Nekton, identified 1,121 species between 2025-2026, including a ghost shark and a symbiotic worm. Scientists emphasize the urgency of this research for conservation and potential medical breakthroughs.
Researchers identify Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, a 90ft long, 30-ton sauropod from Thailand's late Early Cretaceous period, shedding light on evolutionary trends towards larger sauropods.
