Australia has detected the H5 strain of bird flu in a wild giant petrel, marking the first time the virus has been found on the continent. While disappointing, the detection was not unexpected due to the global spread of the virus. No mass mortalities or infections in poultry have been reported.
Coral researcher Anne Cohen has found a thriving "super reef" in the Marshall Islands, offering hope for coral survival amidst global bleaching events. The discovery is part of an initiative to identify and protect heat-tolerant reefs that could help restore damaged ecosystems.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed SpiderCam, a new 3D camera inspired by jumping spiders' vision. It uses less than one watt of power and estimates depth by comparing image focus differences, potentially enabling battery-powered robots, drones, and wearables.
Scientists in St. Petersburg have created Russia's first automated neural network system using computer vision to analyze reindeer external features for health assessment, addressing challenges in the Arctic livestock industry.
Saharan dust storms are increasingly intense, depositing microorganisms over Europe. A study in Portugal found bacteria in dust that could act as natural fertilizers, potentially benefiting crop growth, especially in vineyards.
Researchers have developed a simpler, more cost-effective method to measure DNA-bound phosphorus in soil microbes. This biologically active nutrient form is linked to microbial activity and soil recycling, offering insights for sustainable agriculture and improved soil fertility.
A Cornell University study reveals that heat stress from climate change is reducing protein and fat levels in milk and impacting production, potentially causing millions in economic losses for the US dairy industry.
A Copa do Mundo de 2026, sediada em EUA, Canadá e México, enfrenta o maior risco de calor extremo da história devido ao calendário, geografia e aquecimento global. Cientistas alertam para temperaturas perigosas em 14 das 16 sedes.
A deadly fungus causing sporotrichosis in cats, potentially fatal and transmissible to humans, is now found in wild animals across South America. Researchers detected its DNA in mammals, birds, and reptiles killed on Brazilian roads, suggesting a new reservoir and urgent need for surveillance.
A new study reveals a deadly fungus causing sporotrichosis in cats is now found in wild animals across South America, including mammals, birds, and reptiles. This discovery highlights a potential new reservoir for the fungus, raising concerns for both animal and human health and emphasizing the need for better disease surveillance.
Over 13,000 seal pups have died on Australia's Heard Island due to H5N1 bird flu, with high mortality rates confirmed among penguins, seals, and petrels. The virus likely spread from French subantarctic islands, marking its eastward movement around the region. Australia is increasing preparedness for potential mainland incursions.
Ecosystems are often described using functional language, implying they have purposes they can fail to perform. This essay argues that ecosystems lack intrinsic ends and cannot truly "break down," challenging the "ecosystem services" framework and advocating for clearer thinking about environmental crises.
Over 75% of baby seals on Heard Island, an Australian external territory, have died from the H5N1 bird flu strain since August. Scientists also noted higher than usual deaths in penguin populations. This marks the first detection of H5N1 in an Australian external territory.
Researchers discovered the oldest known evidence of the plague, dating back approximately 5,500 years ago near Siberia's Lake Baikal. DNA from plague-causing bacteria was found in the remains of 18 ancient hunter-gatherers, suggesting the disease predates previous estimates by 200 years.
A new study suggests humanity lacks the technology to rule out the presence of extraterrestrial probes or artifacts in the Solar System. Current observations cover only a tiny fraction of space in sufficient detail, making detection difficult.
SCMP's science reporting highlights include a PLA plan to target US carrier groups from 3,000km, SpaceX's IPO, and images of Nvidia and Apple HQs released by a Chinese firm.
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology has declared an El Niño active, predicting hotter and drier conditions. Scientists warn climate change makes predicting the weather pattern's impacts harder, potentially intensifying extreme weather events like heatwaves and droughts.
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology has declared an El Niño, predicting hotter, drier conditions. Scientists warn climate change makes its impacts harder to forecast, potentially intensifying effects like heatwaves and droughts.
New research offers a framework to predict powerful turbidity currents, which can damage underwater infrastructure. Findings could aid in managing reservoirs and protecting cables.
A conspiracy theory about scientists dying or disappearing is traced back to a 1977 British mock-documentary called 'Alternative 3', created by David Ambrose. Despite being a fictional drama, it was taken seriously by many and has since fueled various conspiracy narratives.
A report from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew highlights how AI and digitisation are accelerating the identification and conservation of plant and fungi species, offering a crucial tool in the fight against extinction. Despite significant progress, vast numbers of species remain unanalysed, with climate change impacting flowering times and disrupting ecosystems.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has proposed a social media ban for under-16s, aiming to enhance online safety. While welcomed by many parents, scientists question the evidence for bans' effectiveness, and campaigners argue it lets social media firms evade platform changes.
Russian scientists have created an AI algorithm that predicts extreme weather events in the Arctic with five times higher resolution than global climate models. The AI, trained on ERA5 data, can forecast wind fields and wave heights in the Barents Sea with remarkable speed and accuracy, aiding maritime safety and wind power applications.
An area of Antarctica comparable to France has failed to form winter sea ice in the Bellingshausen Sea, alarming scientists. This unusual event, coinciding with a heatwave, raises concerns for penguins, marine ecosystems, and sea-level rise.
