Science News Today — Latest Discoveries
The latest science news today — research, discoveries and breakthroughs, explained simply and updated continuously on Plax.
A living shield: Skin microbes may help sawfish survive oxygen-poor pools
This large freshwater sawfish might look scary, but its greatest survival assets are tiny microbes that may give its young an invisible force field when environmental conditions get tough. New research led by Flinders University describes h…
Phys.org · 12 Nov, 06:00 pmLemon waste yields bioplastic more flexible than commercial counterpart, study finds
A new research article published in Polymers explores an innovative way to turn lemon processing residues into biopolymers. Authored by ANIPH's coordinator, CETEC, together with partners from companion projects Viss and PHAntastic, the stud…
Phys.org · 12 Nov, 06:00 pmLiquid-phase growth strategy densifies ceramic films at low temperature
Ceramic films are widely used in solid-state batteries, energy conversion devices and electronic systems. Their fabrication, however, often requires high-temperature sintering, which can cause elemental volatilization, compositional segrega…
Phys.org · 12 Nov, 05:40 pmA new view of the gamma-ray gap: 14 years of Fermi data reveal around 450 sources in a largely unexplored energy range
The universe is filled with light at many different energies. Some of it is invisible to our eyes, including extremely energetic gamma rays, which can only be produced in the most extreme environments in our universe, for example supermassi…
Phys.org · 12 Nov, 05:40 pmA suspected black hole turns out to be a rapidly spinning star
Sometimes massive stars can mimic the behavior of a black hole and trick astronomers into misinterpreting their nature. Such is the case with a strange pair of stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) cluster NGC 1850. The system was initi…
Phys.org · 12 Nov, 05:30 pmPumpkin seed protein puts a twist on nondairy coffee creamer
Pumpkin season is about more than cute décor. The squash contains lots of seeds with a high protein content, but they're usually discarded. Researchers reporting in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found another way to use th…
Phys.org · 12 Nov, 05:20 pmSimulated collisions reveal how Phobos could preserve rocks blasted off Mars
Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos, but their origins remain uncertain. Were they asteroids captured by Mars' gravity, or did they form from debris following a giant impact on the planet?
Phys.org · 12 Nov, 05:20 pmSequential peaks in arthropod availability across snow and vegetation help sustain alpine birds
The alpine zone is located above the tree line in mountainous regions and is characterized by long winters and short growing seasons. Birds and other animals inhabiting these environments breed during a limited period extending from spring…
Phys.org · 12 Nov, 05:00 pmFinding romance with AI: Study explores benefits, limits of chatbot intimacy
An AI companion can be available for a late-night conversation, respond to personal disclosures and discuss a favorite topic for hours. For people who develop intimate relationships with chatbots, those exchanges can offer a meaningful sens…
Phys.org · 12 Nov, 05:00 pmLipids from banana peels help cherry tomatoes stay fresh longer
Fruits and vegetables keep "breathing" even after they're picked. Respiration consumes sugars and organic acids that contribute to flavor, while moisture loss and continued ripening soften the fruit. These changes shorten shelf life and con…
Phys.org · 12 Nov, 04:50 pmNew analytical method offers potential for faster risk assessment of avian influenza viruses
Highly pathogenic avian influenza causes significant damage to the poultry industry worldwide. As the virus evolves, new variants regularly emerge that may differ in how easily they spread and how severely they affect infected birds. Resear…
Phys.org · 12 Nov, 04:40 pmTiny cracks and a 9-volt battery could help fight deadly superbugs
As superbugs become harder to treat and antibiotic resistance continues to rise worldwide, Flinders University scientists have uncovered an unlikely ally in the fight to prevent infections before they take hold. They have found that careful…
Phys.org · 12 Nov, 04:40 pmEarth's fiery birth may have created hundreds of oceans' worth of water
Earth's water may have been born in the planet's fiery atmosphere rather than delivered by icy comets or asteroids. Scientists discovered that rocky pebbles reacting with hydrogen under extreme heat can produce water in minutes, potentially…
Science Daily · 12 Nov, 08:38 amA massive new simulation reveals how the universe emerged from darkness
A groundbreaking new supercomputer simulation is revealing how the universe escaped its cosmic dark age and transformed into a cosmos filled with stars and galaxies. Called Lumina, it recreates 2 billion years of early cosmic history across…
Science Daily · 12 Nov, 04:07 amNASA’s Parker Solar Probe discovers a hidden pattern in the Sun’s chaotic magnetic fields
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has revealed a surprising secret hidden within the chaos of space: turbulent magnetic fields reverse their direction of rotation when examined at extremely small scales. The discovery exposes an unexpected pattern…
Science Daily · 12 Nov, 01:45 amThe mystery of how hair knows where to grow may finally be solved
Scientists have discovered that the intricate patterns of hair follicles on mammals may arise from a remarkably simple process involving cells following chemical signals. The findings challenge a long-standing theory and reveal how nature c…
Science Daily · 11 Nov, 12:48 pmNASA reveals Earth's ozone hole has grown to a size not seen in a decade
The Antarctic ozone hole expanded to its seventh-largest size on record in 2026, driven by unusual weather conditions that pushed it close to its historic maximum. Scientists say international restrictions on ozone-destroying chemicals prev…
Science Daily · 11 Nov, 12:32 pmScientists uncover a 192-year-old mystery hidden in a mangled silver coin
A bizarrely deformed 1834 British silver coin found at a car boot sale may preserve evidence of a rare minting accident nearly 200 years ago. Advanced 3D scans and microscopic analysis revealed unusual metal distortions suggesting the coin…
Science Daily · 11 Nov, 10:48 amWhere are all the males? Ancient human fossils reveal a startling mystery
A remarkable discovery in a South African cave suggests that an extinct human relative may have created an all-female burial site more than 240,000 years ago. Scientists analyzed ancient proteins preserved in Homo naledi teeth and found no…
Science Daily · 11 Nov, 09:43 amScientists discover a giant 66-pound rodent that lived 34 million years ago
Scientists have uncovered fossils of a giant rodent that lived in Thailand 34 million years ago, revealing that enormous rodents evolved much earlier than previously thought. Named Yakamys sirindhornae, the ancient animal may have weighed a…
Science Daily · 11 Nov, 01:36 am237-million-year-old fossils reveal a bizarre armored sea amphibian
A bizarre, heavily armored amphibian roamed the oceans 237 million years ago, despite the fact that modern amphibians cannot survive entirely in saltwater. Discovered in China, the giant salamander-sized creature may be the first known amph…
Science Daily · 11 Nov, 12:59 amNASA’s CHAPEA Mars crew finally emerges after more than a year in isolation
After more than a year of simulated life on Mars, four NASA volunteers have finally emerged from isolation, bringing a remarkable space exploration experiment to an end. Their experiences growing food, conserving resources, and overcoming M…
Science Daily · 10 Nov, 05:00 amWhy heart attacks can still happen even when bad cholesterol is low
Even when bad cholesterol is brought down to healthy levels, some people remain at risk of heart attacks, and scientists may have discovered why. Researchers identified two types of fat-carrying particles that appear to promote inflammation…
Science Daily · 10 Nov, 01:54 amAlzheimer’s may have early warning signs outside the brain
A surprising discovery suggests that some early signs of Alzheimer’s disease may begin outside the brain. Using miniature laboratory systems made from human cells, scientists found that genetic mutations associated with inherited Alzheimer’…
Science Daily · 10 Nov, 01:47 am